DLP Report
PESHAWAR
The proposal for establishing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mineral Development Company will undergo further parliamentary scrutiny before a final decision is taken, Speaker of the provincial assembly Babar Saleem Swati said after a meeting held at the Assembly Secretariat on Wednesday.
The meeting, chaired by the speaker, discussed various legal, administrative and financial aspects of the proposed company and its potential implications for the province’s interests.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Aftab Alam, Mines and Mineral Development Minister Arif Ahmadzai, Secretary Mines and Mineral Development Dr Israr, the department’s director general and senior officials, as well as relevant stakeholders, attended the meeting.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel and former Advocate General Shamail Butt were also present.
Members of the provincial assembly Adnan Khan, Sobia Shahid, Sheila Bano and Faiza Malik attended the meeting in person, while Ahmad Kundi, Arbab Usman and Nisar Baz participated through video link.
Officials from the Mines and Mineral Development Department briefed the participants on various aspects of the proposed company and its potential impact on the province.
Mr Swati stressed that any major decision concerning the province’s mineral resources should be taken after considering all relevant legal requirements, the provincial interest and the views of elected representatives.
After detailed deliberations, it was agreed that the matter would be taken forward on the parliamentary forum only after members had reached consensus and were fully satisfied with the proposal.
Some members also expressed reservations during the meeting, which were taken up for further consideration.
The speaker decided that another meeting would be held next week to examine the proposal in greater detail and address the concerns and views of members before reaching a final decision.
Mr Swati said every decision concerning the province’s mineral resources would be taken in the broader public and provincial interest, with transparency and parliamentary consultation given due consideration.
