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ISLAMABAD: Hearing the Reko Diq case on Tuesday, the Supreme Court directed companies exploring for reserves in the region to provide their details to the court, DawnNews reported.
The apex court has been hearing petitions challenging the award of a contract to the Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) – a Canadian consortium of Barrick Gold and Antofagasta Minerals – for exploring gold and copper in Reko Diq, a small desert town in Chagai district of Balochistan.
Tuesday's hearing was conducted by a three judges' bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar remarked that national interest was not regarded in this case as much it should have been.
The counsel for the TCC, Dr Khalid Anwar, in his arguments before the court said that the company had followed all the rules and regulations regarding the Reko Diq contract.
Anwar further said that the army was also provided a thorough briefing before the contract was awarded. The military did not express any reservations over the matter, he said.
Moreover, the apex court directed the Deputy Attorney General to consult defence institutions on the contract in light of national security.
