GILIGT: The Gilgit-Baltistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GBCCI) on Tuesday demanded cancellation of the licences issued to international firms for mining minerals in the region.

The demand was made during a meeting of the GBCCI office-bearers here.

Among those in attendance were president of the chamber Johar Ali Raki, vice president Atif Hussain, senior vice president Zafar Iqbal and office-bearers of the chamber, including Ahmad Hussain, Nasir Hussain, Musarrat Zafar Ghazi and Mohammad Ali, said a news release issued by the GBCCI.

The participants discussed issues and challenges faced by businessmen in the region and unanimously asked the regional government to cancel the licences of international companies for extraction of minerals in the region.

According to them, only local traders and firms have the right to deal in the region’s valuable minerals and that the award of mining licences to international firms is not only a violation of law but it is also an attempt to deprive local residents of natural resources.

The participants said local companies and traders should be given priority for mining licences.

They demanded that securing no objection certificate from the chamber be made compulsory for mining licence in the region.

The participants also urged the government to take steps for better mineral exports from the region for the welfare of local residents.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2014