ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Saturday said Balochistan government could take its decision freely in matters relating to the natural resources of the Province.
While chairing a meeting with a visiting delegation of Balochistan government led by Chief Minister Balochistan , Dr. Abdul Malik Baluch here the Minister said the federal government and the ministry of petroleum would provide support and facilitation to the provincial government, says a press release issued here.
Shahid Khaqan said that all decisions related to the Minerals and other Natural Resources of Balochistan were to be taken by the Balochistan government.
"The constitution is clear in this regard and the Ministry desires to facilities the Balochistan government. It is now the responsibility of the Balochistan government to take wise and long-term policy decisions in the best interest of the people of Balochistan and the Federation of Pakistan as a whole," the Minister said.
Prominent lawyer and former Caretaker Law Minister, Ahmer Bilal Sufi gave a detailed presentation to the meeting on the legal issues relating to the Reko Diq project.
Chief Minister Balochistan , Dr. Abdul Malik Baluch said "We have a relationship of trust with the present Federal Government of PML (N) and Prime Minister, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Shareef. We will go ahead with this mutual trust for the betterment of the people of Balochistan and will protect the interests of the Province."
He shared with the Minister Petroleum the problems and constraints faced by the people of Balochistan and the Provincial Government on various issues.
He also proposed the establishment of a joint working group comprising highly technical and legal experts both from Federal and Provincial Governments.
This joint working group will help and advise the Provincial government in legal and technical matters of the project.
While responding to the Chief Minister Balochistan 's observations, the Minister said that the Reko Diq project was vital for the country. He said that this project was highly technical and it should be taken up on a commercial basis.
He advised that legal and technical consultants of international repute be hired to address the details of the terms of the agreement of the project.
The Minister emphasized that long term and consistent policy measures must be taken to win the trust of the investor, as rapid policy changes dilute the interest of the investor.
Secretary Finance Dr. Waqar Masood Khan, Abid Saeed, Secretary Ministry of Petroleum, Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, Chief Secretary Balochistan and other senior officer of Ministry of Petroleum and Balochistan government were also present in the meeting.
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