Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Wednesday joined the chorus of voice criticizing the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Bill, 2025, alleging the legislation was against provincial autonomy and thus “unacceptable” to his party.
“Not only Center, but international powers are also seizing our resources,” he told a press conference in Peshawar. Urging lawmakers to adhere to the principles of provincial autonomy, he said the KP Assembly must not adopt any bill that runs counter to the 18th Amendment. He warned that if an “unacceptable” decision is taken, his party will stage protests against it.
Accusing the federal government of “forcing” all provinces to adopt similar legislations, he alleged mining authorities were being constituted to seize control of their resources. He claimed the legislation paved the way for international powers to seize national resources, vowing that his party would not permit either the federal government or foreign powers to seize provincial resources.
“If any country wants to make investment, then it must seek the provincial government’s permission on its conditions via the center,” he said.
To a question on the law and order situation in KP, the JUIF chief recommended the government conduct dialogue with Afghanistan, adding it should likewise devise a procedure for the dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees. Rather than forcing unregistered refugees out of the country, he said, authorities should register them.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government tabled the mines and minerals bill in a bid to regulate investment in the province’s mining sector. It has sparked controversy, primarily from within the ruling PTI itself, over claims it undermines provincial autonomy and hands greater control of KP’s resources to the federal government. The KP government has denied this impression, maintaining the legislation has been misunderstood and will curb illegal mining and attract investment.