QUETTA: Lala Muhammad Sultan, president of the All Pakistan Labour Federation and the Pakistan Central Mines Labour Federation, has rejected the proposed privatisation of the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) and cancellation of its mining leases, warning that the move could threaten thousands of jobs and harm the economic interests of local communities in Balochistan.

Speaking at a press conference and protest demonstration at the Quetta Press Club on Thursday, Mr Sultan urged the federal and provincial governments to withdraw the proposal and consult labour federations and workers’ representatives before taking any further action.

He vowed to continue the constitutional, legal and democratic struggle to protect workers’ rights.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026