ANP to challenge minerals bill in court
The Awami National Party (ANP) has rejected the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government's Mines and Minerals Bill and announced plans to consult with other political parties to oppose it.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Bacha Khan Center on Friday, alongside the party's provincial cabinet, ANP Provincial President Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that the party will challenge the legislation in court and mobilize public support against it.
"We will not allow anyone to plunder the resources of our province. The bill amounts to an attack on the 18th Amendment," he said.
Senior Vice President Syed Aqil Shah, General Secretary Hussain Shah Yousafzai and other central and provincial leaders were also present on the occasion.
Mian Iftikhar said that ANP completely rejects the K-P Minerals and Mines Act 2025.
According to reports, the draft of this bill was prepared by two American consultants. He said that a comprehensive law for mines and minerals already exists in K-P since 2017, making a new law unnecessary. He added that the Mines and Minerals Department has raised 73 objections to the proposed bill, while the Mines and Minerals Association has submitted 47 objections.
The provincial government had assured to remove these objections, but despite the assurance, the draft prepared without any amendments was approved by the cabinet and presented to the assembly.
He said that even the government's own members are unaware of the bill being presented in the assembly. The bill presented by the provincial government is against the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which all political parties had jointly passed to end frustration in the provinces.
He said in the past, the denial of provincial autonomy led to the division of Pakistan and the loss of its eastern wing. Constitutionally, the first right and authority over natural resources belongs to the people living on this land.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
2 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Fresh sirens in north Israel warning of Iran missiles: army
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Sirens sounded in several areas of northern Israel on Monday, after the army reported a fresh barrage of Iranian missiles, at least the third salvo in less than two hours. 'A short while ago, sirens sounded in several areas in northern Israel following the identification of missiles launched from Iran toward the State of Israel,' a military statement said, adding in another statement about 10 minutes later that people were allowed to leave shelters. Earlier on Monday, sirens wailed across Israel for over 30 minutes as the military warned of multiple missile barrages launched from its arch-foe. 'Search and rescue forces are operating in several locations across the country in which reports of fallen projectiles were received,' the military added. Following the first wave, Israel's Magen David Adom rescue service reported no casualties 'except a number of anxiety cases and people injured while seeking shelter'. 16 hurt, building hit in Israel after Iran missiles: rescue services, TV Israeli media reported an impact in the area of Ashdod in the south. The full extent of the damage in Israel after 11 days of war with Iran is not known due to military censorship rules, but at least 50 impacts have been acknowledged nationwide and 24 people have died, according to official figures. Israel launched large-scale attacks on Iran on June 13 targeting its missile and nuclear facilities, as well as military leaders and security services. Aerial assaults raged between the two foes early Monday, while Tehran vowed retaliation over the bunker-buster bombs American warplanes unleashed at the weekend on three nuclear sites.
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Iranian ambassador accuses US and Israel of sabotage ahead of nuclear talks
Listen to article Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam on Sunday accused the United States and Israel of sabotaging peace by launching deadly strikes on Iranian territory just two days before scheduled nuclear talks with American representatives. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Amiri said the attacks on June 13 killed Iranian commanders and were a direct attempt to derail a diplomatic meeting planned for June 15. 'The Zionist regime and the United States do not want resolution through diplomacy,' he stated. The ambassador labelled the Israeli government as 'illegitimate' and accused it of acting as a 'US military outpost' in the Middle East. He stressed that Iran is a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and operates under the strict oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), unlike Israel. Citing two US intelligence reviews, Amiri reiterated that Iran's nuclear programme is peaceful. 'Our Supreme Leader has clearly stated we are committed to peaceful nuclear development,' he said, adding that the programme exists 'in the minds of our scientists' and cannot be destroyed by missiles. He said Iran will defend itself and has already shown that Israel was unable to intercept Iranian-made missiles. 'When the Zionist regime failed to defend itself, America was brought in,' Amiri claimed, adding that Washington struck Iran again on Sunday morning. Amiri warned the US that 'in war, we will determine where America will feel pain,' while stating that Iran is supported by Muslims around the world. He thanked Pakistan's government, media, scholars, and politicians for their solidarity and support. Amiri also expressed gratitude to the United Nations Security Council members who condemned Israeli aggression alongside Pakistan. He dismissed calls for regime change in Iran, claiming that all American presidents have attempted to interfere in Iranian governance through diplomacy or force. 'The Iranian people will never accept leadership imposed by Israel or the United States,' he said. The ambassador said the city of Isfahan, a densely populated area near Iran's nuclear infrastructure, suffered unspecified damage in recent strikes, while the Fordow nuclear site remained unaffected due to its remote location. He concluded by thanking Pakistan for its 'brave and honourable support,' affirming Iran's continued resistance against foreign aggression and its stance against 'genocidal regimes' in Gaza and beyond.
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
US airlines at risk as global carriers bypass Middle East
US strikes on Iran's nuclear sites could heighten the threat to American operators in the region, an organisation that monitors flight risks warned on Sunday, as some airlines cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Doha. Airlines continued to avoid large parts of the Middle East due to missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, the latest upheaval to travel in the region. Singapore Airlines said it cancelled flights from Singapore to Dubai following a security assessment and British Airways cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Doha. Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, said the US attacks on Iran may increase risks to US operators in the region. "While there have been no specific threats made against civil aviation, Iran has previously warned it would retaliate by attacking US military interests in the Middle East – either directly or via proxies such as Hezbollah," Safe Airspace said. Meanwhile, flight tracking website FlightRadar24, said airlines maintained flight diversions around the region. Its website showed airlines were not flying over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel. They have chosen routings such as north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia, even if these mean higher fuel and crew costs and longer flight times. Missile and drone barrages in a growing number of conflict zones represent a high risk to airline traffic. In the nine days since Israel attacked Iran, carriers have suspended flights to destinations in the affected countries. With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed due to war, the Middle East has become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia. Airlines are also concerned about a potential spike in oil prices following the US attacks, which will increase the cost of jet fuel. In the days before the US strikes, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar and United Airlines did the same with flights to Dubai. Safe Airspace said airspace risks could now extend to Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. "We continue to advise a high degree of caution at this time," it said. The BA and Singapore Airlines cancellations were only for Sunday, but Singapore said other flights between Singapore and Dubai may be affected as the situation remains "fluid". BA, owned by IAG, said customers scheduled to travel between now and June 24 to Dubai and Doha can rebook up to and including July 6, free of charge.
