World Forces Eyeing $500bn Reko Diq Reserves

besides lying on Arabian Sea where world traffic passed by, and on other hand it was rich in natural resources, including gold, silver, copper, oil, gas, chromites, iron, coal, precious gems and many other unexplored natural treasures.

QUETTA: Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Salma Hashmi on Sunday stated that the copper and gold reserves of Reko Diq worth $500 billion had become a focal point for the voracious world powers and therefore they were trying to disturb peace structure in Balochistan.

“Having a keen and lustful eye on geopolitical and geo-strategic location of Balochistan in the region and vast gold and copper reserves, some international forces have been poking nose into the matters of this province indirectly,” she claimed without solid evidences at hand, adding that the role of foreign powers in worsening law and order situation of Balochistan could not be over-ruled.

She said that on one hand Balochistan had borders with Iran and Afghanistan besides lying on Arabian Sea where world traffic passed by, and on other hand it was rich in natural resources, including gold, silver, copper, oil, gas, chromites, iron, coal, precious gems and many other unexplored natural treasures.

Hashmi was of the opinion that some external forces were behind the unrest and chaotic situation of Balochistan. She demanded from these external elements to avoid interfering into the affairs of Balochistan.

She underlined the need to resolve Balochistan issue through dialogues and urged the federal government to take the Pakistan Army on board in dialogues with the nationalists to normalise the situation in Balochistan.

Referring to enthusiasm and joy in youth during the recent Independence Day celebrations on the roads and streets of Quetta, she said, “It was first time after few years’ gap that thousands of youths came out of their houses and thronged city roads and streets to express their happiness and enjoyment on the occasion of Independence Day celebrations.”

She, however, regretted that most of provincial ministers of Balochistan did not bother to attach the Pakistani flag to their official cars on the occasion.

She, however, lamented that some hidden hands were hatching conspiracies to spread sectarian hatred among people in order to damage peace of the province. She urged the Cabinet’s Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan to take on board leaders of all nationalities of Balochistan instead of only holding meetings with government officials if it was serious to steer Balochistan out of crisis.

She reiterated that being a significant and important stakeholder, the Pakistan Army must be included in the dialogue process and other measures being taken to secure peace in Balochistan. She appreciated the incumbent government for providing record funds to Balochistan with increase in its share in 7th National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, gas surcharge, 50 percent share in income from all natural resources, including gas and oil, and giving control of Gwadar deep seaport and Reko Diq gold and copper project to the provincial government.