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  • Dec 13th, 2014
  • Comments Off on Reko Diq: Balochistan Assembly proceedings marred by pandemonium
A pandemonium marred the proceedings of Balochistan Assembly here on Friday when members from treasury and opposition benches started levelling allegations against each other over the Reko Diq issue took place during the speech of the opposition leader in the Balochistan Assembly. The provincial assembly's sitting was held with Speaker Mir Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali in the chair.

Responding to the remarks of Awami National Party MPA Zarmak Piralizai, Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch said he would sell out not even a single stone of Balochistan. "I have put the entire matter before the assembly, parliamentarians and the Cabinet over the Reko Diq case and told them that no deal would be made with Tethyan Copper Company," he said.

He said it was the previous government which sold out the government land in Gwadar and Pasni, adding that credit, however, went to the incumbent provincial government which cancelled those allotments. He said that some TV anchors leashed a false and baseless campaign about the Reko Diq case. "Me and my government are not going to make any secret deal with Tethyan Company as I have declared that no single stone would be sold out," he said. Opposition leader in the Balochistan Assembly Maulana Abdul Wasey said that an official in Islamabad had informed him about a "plot" of a deal with Tethyan Company on the Reko Diq project, adding that a TV anchor later, also discussed it in his TV show. "I had some reservations on the Reko Diq issue and all people have a right to talk on it as it is the property of people of Balochistan," he said. He claimed that the exploring company offered him to hold a meeting with them in Canada, France or Australia.

Wasey's remarks caused an uproar in the house when members from treasury and opposition benches rose from their seats and started levelling allegations against each others. The Speaker directed the assembly staff to switch off mikes of all members.

Meanwhile, speaking on a point of order, the Senior Minister and Parliamentary leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N in the Balochistan Assembly, Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri, said that he had returned the cash that he had withdrawn from the provincial exchequer for his official visit to France after he cancelled his tour.

PML-N MPA Anita Irfan said that incidents of targeted killings and kidnappings for ransom have created panic among the people of Balochistan. She said that Dr Munawaj Kumar has been kidnapped by unknown criminals and the law-enforcement agencies have failed to trace out his whereabouts. Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F MPA Maulana Ma'azallah said that law and order is deteriorating in Musakhel where people are being kidnapped by armed groups. He demanded concrete measures to restore peace and provide security to life and property of people.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2014


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