Stay order against Balochistan government in Reko Diq case was vacated on Wednesday and the apex court gave full powers to the provincial government to handle the matter, however, the minefield case will remain pending in SC for adjudication.
A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani resumed hearing of identical petitions filed by Advocate Supreme Court M Tariq Asad, Maulana Abdul Haque Baloch and others against the leasing of Reko Diq gold and copper mines in Balochistan to foreign exploration and mining companies in violation of the local law.
Counsels of the petitioners including Advocates Fakharruddin G Ibrahim, Khalid Anwar, M Tariq Asad, Sikandar Bashir and Raza Kazim, Advocate General for Balochistan were unanimous on the point that the Balochistan government be empowered to decide the issue of mining license.
After receiving the consent from both the parties, the bench vacated the stay order and handed over the Reko Diq gold mining license authority to the Balochistan government which the bench termed is its exclusive administrative right. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed," without influence of the present proceedings the Tethyan Copper Company''s (TCC) can also apply for the mining license however, we are hopeful the decision on the application would be taken in accordance with the law." The bench adjourned all the applications related to the case with a direction that the parties can contact the apex court in case of any future disagreement with the Balochistan government in Reko Diq mining license. The court adjourned the hearing for indefinite period.