DLP Report
\nPESHAWAR
\nThe Awami National Party (ANP) has strongly rejected the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minerals and Mines Act 2025, declaring it unconstitutional, undemocratic, and a clear violation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which guarantees provincial autonomy over natural resources.
\nSenior ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain, addressing a press conference, stated that after the passage of the 18th Amendment, it was illegal and against the federal framework for the federal government or any of its agencies to issue directives to provinces on matters such as minerals.
\n\u201cThis legislation is an attack on the rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an infringement on provincial jurisdiction,\u201d he said.
\nAccording to credible reports, he said, the draft of this controversial bill was prepared by two American consultants. \u201cThis is despite the fact that a comprehensive Mines and Minerals Act already exists in the province since 2017. There is absolutely no need for new legislation,\u201d Mian Iftikhar added.
\nThe provincial Department of Minerals and Mines had raised 73 objections, while the Mines and Minerals Association submitted 47 objections to the draft bill.
\nAlthough the government had assured stakeholders that these concerns would be addressed, the draft was approved by the provincial cabinet without incorporating any amendments and was subsequently presented in the assembly. Disturbingly, even members of the ruling party were unaware of the bill\u2019s contents.
\nThe ANP emphasized that the 18th Amendment was a cornerstone of the Constitution and a collective achievement of all political parties, aimed at ending decades of disenfranchisement in the provinces.
\n\u201cLet us not forget that the denial of provincial rights led to the tragic separation of East Pakistan. We cannot allow history to repeat itself,\u201d Iftikhar warned.
\nANP leader criticized the inclusion of vague terms like \u201cstrategic minerals\u201d in the bill, questioning who defines what is \u2018strategic\u2019. \u201cIf the entire region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is considered strategic, does that give the center a free hand to seize our resources?\u201d asked Iftikhar.
\nThe party also raised serious questions about the role of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), an executive body established without any parliamentary legislation, and accused the provincial government of surrendering provincial resources to the SIFC and the Federal Minerals Division.
\n\u201cIn what capacity has the Federal Minerals Division written to provinces on legislative matters? This is a clear overstep and an insult to provincial autonomy,\u201d the ANP asserted.
\nThe ANP demanded full transparency regarding mine and mineral leases issued in KP, particularly in Waziristan, since 2013. \u201cWhat has the province received in return for these leases? Who are the beneficiaries? The people deserve to know,\u201d said Iftikhar.
\nThe party pledged to resist any attempt to usurp the rights of the province. \u201cThis bill is a calculated move to create a legal pathway for federal interference in our resources, and the ANP will not remain silent. We will fight for every inch of our land and every right enshrined in the Constitution.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DLP Report PESHAWAR The Awami National Party (ANP) has strongly rejected the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minerals and Mines Act 2025, declaring it unconstitutional, undemocratic, and a clear violation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which guarantees provincial autonomy over natural resources. Senior ANP leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain, addressing a press conference, stated that after the passage of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":471873,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-471860","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n