PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Tehreek-iInsaf’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter on Saturday warned against placing the province’s mineral resources under federal or other external authority or control during the current emergency and governor’s rule, insisting that no such move could be made without the approval or oversight of the elected provincial representatives.
In a statement issued here, PTI KP general secretary Ali Asghar Khan said that the province’s mineral wealth was not the property of an ‘imposed administration to bargain away’.
‘Major mining concessions, long-term agreements or other arrangements that undermine provincial powers or the rights of local communities are unacceptable. Decisions concerning rare earth elements, critical minerals and other valuable resources cannot be made behind closed doors,’ he said.
Mr Khan said that the party would not recognise such agreements and would challenge them at constitutional and legal forums.
He also warned investors and othersagainst making agreements with the current provincial administration.
‘Following the restoration of the elected government and provincial assembly, we [the PTI] will demand a comprehensive review of these agreements. We expect other political parties in the province to take a clear stand in defence of provincial rights,’ he said.
The PTI leader said that the party did not oppose mineral development, domestic or foreign investment or the use of natural resources for the province’s economic growth. He said the mineral se ctor should create local jobs, strengthen industry and technical capabilities and increase provincialrevenues.
‘The central questions are who makes these decisions, on what terms and what lasting benefits the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa receive from their own resources,’ he said.
Mr Khan said that the party had adopted that position well before the current political and administrative crisis emerged in the province.
Following the provincial cabinet’s approval of the Mines and Minerals Bill in February last year, the PTI reviewed its implications. Also, PTI founder Imran Khan declared that the legislation would not proceed without a full briefing to him and his approval.
The review committee was headed by PTI provincial general secretary Ali Asghar Khan, with MNA Arbab Sher Ali Khan and Dr Amjad Ali Khan as members. The committee consulted experts, industry representatives, local communi-ties and other relevant stakeholders.
In April 2025, the committee produced its report, titled ‘From Exclusion to Equity’.
Although the proposed bill prompted the review, the report’s recommendations went beyond a response to that bill.
They provided a long-term framework for the governance, use and development of the province’s mineral resources. The report said those principles should guide future legislation, mining concessions, investment agreements and public policies regardless of which political party governed the province.
It emphasised the constitutional authority of the provincial assembly in decisions concerning mineral resources.
The report raised objections to unchecked discretionary powers for officials, federal interference and the power to classify valuable minerals as ‘strategic’ without clear criteria.
According to it, no administrative decision or agreement should override provincial law. Major mining concessions must be subject to effective oversight by the Provincial Assembly and transparent, publicly available rules.
Thereportproposed atransparentsystem for the grant, renewal and transfer of mineral licences and rights.
According to it, the identities of beneficial owners, as well as details of mineral production, royalties and public revenues, should be disclosed. Independent audits, public records, safeguards against conflicts of interest and performancebased contracts should prevent favourit-ism, trading in licences and the concentration of mineral rights in a few hands.
Contracts should also provide for periodic review and clear expiry provisions.
The report said local communities must have a meaningful role in decisions affectingtheirland and resources.
‘Before projects proceed, informed consent, customary land rights, fair compensation, local employment and effective environmental safeguards must be ensured.
The report recommended a statutory Mineral Development Fund to distribute revenues fairly among the province, mineral-producing districts and affected communities. These rights must be protected equally throughout the province, including the merged tribal districts.
For practical economic development, the committee recommended that mineral licences and investment agreements include requirements for local employment,technicaltraining,technologytransfer, and mineral processing and value addition within the province. Local and small-scale miners should have fair opportunities. Exporting raw minerals while the communities from whose land they are extracted remain poor is not an acceptable model of development, according to it. The committee also recommended an independent grievance and appeals mechanism, public oversight and enforcement through civilian institutions rather than the proposed Mines and Minerals Force.
These measures, it argued, are not obstacles to investment but will establish clear rules and confidence, protect local rights and help secure sustainable development.