QUETTA: Former senator and ex-provincial minister for mineral resources Lashkari Raisani has voiced sharp criticism over what he termed the “criminal silence” of political leaders regarding the re-approval of the Balochistan Mines and Minerals Act, 2025. Speaking at his Srawan House on Sunday, Raisani said that despite sending letters to heads of all major political parties — both within and outside the assemblies — no one had responded to his concerns.
Raisani revealed that he has also filed a petition in court, seeking a review of the controversial law to ensure that Balochistan’s natural resources remain under public control. He said his letters urged political leaders to “safeguard the province’s precious minerals for future generations and foil any attempts to loot them.”
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Highlighting Balochistan’s long history of resource exploitation, Raisani recalled how the discovery of natural gas in Sui in 1954 benefited the national economy but left the province impoverished. “Instead of benefiting the people of Balochistan, our resources have been plundered, leaving 80 per cent of our population below the poverty line,” he lamented, citing a UN subsidiary report.
The veteran politician said earlier public resistance had compelled the government to withdraw the legislation through a joint resolution, with Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti later promising to reintroduce the bill only after consultations. “However, no copy of that executive order has been shared with any party, forcing us to seek it through the courts,” he added.
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Raisani urged lawmakers to correct past mistakes and draft policies that truly protect provincial interests. “Our mission is to create public awareness and political consciousness so that legislation is never again used as a tool to loot Balochistan’s wealth,” he concluded.