LOWER DIR/CHARSADDA: The participants of two multi-party conferences hosted by Awami National Party (ANP) in Lower Dir and Charsadda the other day rejected the proposed Mines and Minerals Bill, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of 18th Amendment.

The MPC in Dir was addressed by ANP provincial general secretary Hussain Shah Yousafzai, district president Haji Bahadar Khan, MPA Nisar Baz and Maulana Khanzeb; Jamaat-i-Islami district emir Maulana Asadullah, JUI-F district chief Sirajuddin, PPP district president Ahmadzeb Khan, PkMAP’s Sartaj Khan, Dir Qaumi Pasoon president Malik Shah Naseem, Timergara District Bar Assocition general secretary Zakir Khan and provincial president of Mines and Minerals Association Afsar Khan.

They stated that control over provincial resources must remain with elected representatives of the province. They vowed to resist any move to usurp provincial rights. They demanded of all institutions to stay within their constitutional bounds, declaring the issue vital to Pashtun identity and autonomy.

In Charsadda, the participants of MPC said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was rich in natural resources, minerals, forests, oil, electricity, gas and precious stones. They said that for the last 40 to 45 years, the province had been facing different problems including terrorism.

They said after the passage of 18th Amendment, it was expected that the province would be allowed to utilise its resources. However, they said, resources of the province were being seized on various pretexts.

The conference rejected Mines and Minerals Bill through a joint declaration, saying that it was against provincial autonomy obtained through 18th Amendment.

They threatened to launch a vigorous movement against the bill.

The conference was attended by ANP district president Shakeel Bashir Khan Umarzai, general secretary Shahzaduddin, district and tehsil cabinet members; JI district chief Shah Hussain and general secretary Fawad Ahmed; JUI-F district leaders Maulana Dr Elahi Jan, Haji Danishmand and Pir Haleem Shah; PML-N leaders Mian Humayun Shah Kakakhel and Zobidar Khan; PPP district president Naeem Khan, Arif Khan and Syed Masoom Shah Bacha; PTI’s Malik Falak Niaz Khan, Akbar Khan, PkMAP’s Humayun Khan; QWP’s Israr Khan, Pakistan Mazdoor Kisan Party’s Mukhtiyar Alam Khan, Mazdoor Kisan Party (Salar Group)’s Asif Khan, Tehrik-i-Labbaik district emir Haseeb Qurban, Communist Mazdoor Kisan Party’s Mian Hikmat Shah, Tangi Bar Association president Haji Ibrahim Khan Mohmand Shakeel Khan, Tajir Ittehad’s Zahoor Ahmed Zarifkhel and others.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2025