ISLAMABAD – Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif approached the rulingcoalition allies, as two leading parties hinted at leaving the governmentover Reko Dik concerns.
Reports in local media said the premier held a telephonic conversation withBalochistan National Party leader Akhtar Mengal and JUI-F chief MaulanaFazlul Rehman to soothe soaring tensions.
The development comes as allied parties boycotted the federal cabinetmeeting over a controversial bill regarding the revival of the Reko Diqcopper and gold mine project in the country’s mineral-rich region.
Reports in local media suggest that PM also formed a cabinet committee toremove objections of JUI-F and BNP-M as both parties were fuming for notbeing taken on board during the preparation of the bill.
Lately, Fazl-led party and BNP leaders held their separate meetings inwhich they mulled leaving the alliance if their demands were not met.
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Earlier this week, the upper house of the parliament passed the ForeignInvestment Bill, 2022, for the reconstitution of a Reko Diq mining project,which will excavate gold and copper reserves in Balochistan.
As per the new agreement, the Canadian-based mining giant decided to becomea 50 percent partner with federal and Balochistan governments.
