Balochistan’s chief minister, Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, claims that the media misreported Reko Diq’s details.
At the 10th National Security Workshop closing ceremony, he said reporters lacked correct information regarding the Barrick Gold agreement.
Regarding Balochistan assembly resolutions, the chief minister said the Constitution grants the Centre “temporary jurisdiction” that can be revoked.
The chief minister stressed that royalty and CSR are separate, and Balochistan has not ceded its tax part in the project.
Bizenjo said giving federal authority was inevitable to avoid difficulties and “politics” on the project was not in Balochistan’s interest.
The chief minister added that every aspect of the deal was provided to the provincial parliament.
Making Balochistan assembly constitutional resolutions controversial “sends the wrong message,” he added.
Balochistan’s development budget is roughly Rs50bn to Rs60bn, while the project might yield Rs300bn annually. He said the federal government will get Rs200bn.
The initiative will create $8 billion in foreign investment, he claimed.
He praised previous chief minister Nawab Aslam Raisani for securing the project.
He said the deal with Barrick protected Pakistan from a large fine. He stated the province’s insurgency had brought death and separation. “Much was lost and found. “Do issue-based politics, not negative politics,” he urged.
