Reko Diq of Balochistan–a treasure beyond Pakistan's ability to measure

Reko Diq of Balochistan–a treasure beyond Pakistan's ability to measure

 

The extent of interest of the army should be linked with the fact that only Riko Diq is enough to bring Pakistan into the first world if it is wisely harvested.

Jan Achakzai 

Located in the Chaghi District of Balochistan in Pakistan, Reko Diq is one of the large copper and gold deposit of the world 

having estimated reserves of 5.9 billion tonnes of ore grading 0.41% copper and gold reserves amounting to 41.5 million oz.

The latest decision in favour of PIA asset unfreeze due to the earlier verdict is a big news: in a tweet the PIA said, "Justice prevails! By the grace of Allah and with the prayers of all our countrymen, courts in BVI decide in favour of PIA, releasing all hard earned assets i.e., Roosevelt NYC & Scribe Paris. Great victory for PIA and Pakistan. We won this together". 

Earlier, the infamous Reko Diq case seriously undermined Pakistan's reputation and resources as the Government was forced to settle the award by the international arbitrary court for breach of its contractual obligations, according to international law. The award was a colossal amount of money ie, almost $6 billions and the government was still seeking some sort of remedy. Later, the PIA was a shock that Pakistan's Roosevelt Hotel in New York (USA), owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had reportedly been indirectly attached by a court in the Reko-Diq case.

Anyhow, we have to settle this issue one way or the other so we can go ahead with the exploitation of this treasure for the benefit of the people of Balochistan and Pakistan. 

A local consortium called the National Resources Private Limited (NRL) has reportedly presented a comprehensive proposal with all necessary documents to Balochistan Mineral Exploration Company on unsolicited basis to develop the Tanjeel reserves first and then the vast Reko Diq copper-cum-gold reserves.

The extent of interest of the army should be linked with the fact that only Riko Diq is enough to bring Pakistan into the first world if it is wisely harvested. Exact point or level of ingress or control of the army is minimum  but the FWO is expanding into a mining giant too. The FWO has experience of project mining undertaken in KPK. 

So far the FWO's forays into mining have not yielded substantial fruits. However, it is teaming up with other more experienced hands. Since FWO has personnel, the resources, logistics and experience of mega projects in the country, it is already better placed to expand its work in Balochistan. 

The Riko Diq is a treasure beyond our ability to measure. But unfortunately corruption at every level in civilian departments of Balochistan is the biggest hurdle. Personal gains next; Politicians next. So far there is no mechanism to check the level of corruption in the mining sector. 

The federal govt wants it to carry on but here in Balochistan, it looks like the corrupt clique is seeking   to hijack Reko Diq, like Saindak Project which has mainly benefited one family and its associates. It  is going to be a disservice to the  future of the country and province if Reko Diq was handed over to the corrupt clique of bureaucracy, politicians and their middle men. 

Balochistan  is already actualizing its huge potential to become a building block for Pakistan's geo-political ambitions and a springboard for operationalization of its foreign policy goals in West Asia and Middle East,  through its connectivity i.e. CPEC, physical, geographical and natural capital. This is why we need to fully develop the natural resources of the province to enable it to be the catalyst of change: geo-economic transformation.