ANP terms mineral amendments violation of 18th Amendments

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 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.
“This legislation is an attack on the rights of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and an infringement on provincial jurisdiction,” he said.
According to credible reports, he said, the draft of this controversial bill was prepared by two American consultants. “This 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,” Mian Iftikhar added.
The provincial Department of Minerals and Mines had raised 73 objections, while the Mines and Minerals Association submitted 47 objections to the draft bill.
Although 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’s contents.
The 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.
“Let us not forget that the denial of provincial rights led to the tragic separation of East Pakistan. We cannot allow history to repeat itself,” Iftikhar warned.
ANP leader criticized the inclusion of vague terms like “strategic minerals” in the bill, questioning who defines what is ‘strategic’. “If the entire region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is considered strategic, does that give the center a free hand to seize our resources?” asked Iftikhar.
The 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.
“In what capacity has the Federal Minerals Division written to provinces on legislative matters? This is a clear overstep and an insult to provincial autonomy,” the ANP asserted.
The ANP demanded full transparency regarding mine and mineral leases issued in KP, particularly in Waziristan, since 2013. “What has the province received in return for these leases? Who are the beneficiaries? The people deserve to know,” said Iftikhar.
The party pledged to resist any attempt to usurp the rights of the province. “This 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.”