Barrister Aqeel Challenges Maulana Fazlur Rehman to Produce US Mining Licence
ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Law Barrister Aqeel Malik has challenged Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to produce evidence of any mining licence allegedly granted to the United States, rejecting claims that the imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was linked to mineral resources.
Addressing a press conference, Barrister Aqeel said the emergency in KP had been imposed to address security concerns, not to facilitate mining and mineral exploration.
He expressed regret over the allegations being levelled by JUI-F, saying Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his party had claimed that the decision to impose an emergency was motivated by interests related to the province’s mineral resources.
The minister said Maulana Fazlur Rehman was an astute politician who had himself expressed dissatisfaction with the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Referring to the JUI-F chief’s remarks about the United States being granted a licence, Barrister Aqeel challenged him to present the relevant mining licence.
“Maulana Fazlur Rehman mentioned the United States and claimed that a licence had been granted to it. Let him produce the mining licence issued to the United States,” he said.
He categorically denied that any mining licence had been issued to the United States or any other country, describing the allegations as false and fabricated. He said the government rejected the accusations levelled by the JUI-F chief.
Minister Cites Mining Licence Figures
Barrister Aqeel also presented figures regarding mining licences issued in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claiming that 3,262 mining licences had been granted up to February 2024.
He said a further 4,917 licences had been issued from 2024 onwards, alleging that these licences were granted by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, which had been in power in the province for 13 years.
The minister’s remarks came amid a political dispute over the possible imposition of an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with opposition leaders questioning the government’s motives and the federal government maintaining that security concerns were the primary reason for the move.
