PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has firmly defended the Mines and Minerals Bill 2025, rejecting social media criticism as “propaganda.” He declared that the proposed law is a provincial initiative and would be passed under the directions of PTI’s founder, Imran Khan.
During an important briefing on Monday, Gandapur dismissed the ongoing criticism against the Mines and Minerals Bill 2025. “This legislation is purely ours. We will pass it according to the founder’s guidance,” he affirmed. He accused certain elements of building a false narrative against the bill on social media platforms.
The Chief Minister clarified that the bill contains no provision that surrenders provincial authority to the federal government. He called out the critics for misleading the public. Gandapur stressed that illegal mining activities would not be tolerated. “No one will find a lawyer to protect illegal miners. Their machinery will be seized and auctioned,” he warned. “Our natural resources will not be sold for peanuts,” he asserted.
Addressing rumors, Gandapur strongly denied accepting any proposal from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC). “Show me one clause where we handed over control to the federation. There is none,” he challenged critics, standing firm on the independence ensured in the Mines and Minerals Bill 2025.
On the diplomatic front, Gandapur welcomed the federal government’s efforts to hold peace talks with Afghanistan. However, he criticized the exclusion of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from the process. “KP is the largest stakeholder in Pak-Afghan affairs. Ignoring us is neither wise nor beneficial,” he said. Gandapur revealed that the KP government had submitted Terms of Reference (TORs) for negotiations but received no response. He suggested that adopting the tribal Jirga model could produce real results.
While commenting on federal leadership, Gandapur launched a scathing attack on Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. “Dar is irrelevant. He represents a Form 47 government that is incompetent and divisive,” he remarked. Gandapur also condemned the forced deportation of Afghan refugees. “We hosted them for decades. They deserve a dignified and respectful return, not humiliation,” he said.
KP Law Minister Aftab Alam also addressed the controversy during a separate briefing. He emphasized that the Mines and Minerals Bill 2025 had been thoroughly reviewed by all concerned parties. He assured that no part of the bill allows federal control over provincial resources. Alam confirmed that the bill would only be presented after approval from PTI’s founder, following a detailed briefing from Gandapur and other party leaders. No debate on the bill would take place before getting the founder’s approval, he added.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Assembly held a second consultative session on the Mines and Minerals Bill 2025 at the Jirga Hall. The session, chaired by Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, witnessed poor attendance. Many lawmakers were absent. The few who attended voiced strong reservations about the bill, particularly regarding the rights of the merged tribal districts.
PTI lawmaker Anwar highlighted that assembly members had come not just for a briefing but to raise serious concerns. Lawmakers from the merged districts remained dissatisfied with the explanations offered and eventually walked out of the session in protest.
The Awami National Party (ANP) also criticized the proposed law and later staged a walkout. The continued opposition from major political parties casts doubt over the fate of the Mines and Minerals Bill 2025. Without addressing the critical concerns raised by the opposition, the government may struggle to push the bill through the assembly.
