Balochistan High Court Suspends Implementation of Mines and Minerals Act, Upholds Provincial Autonomy: Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal

**Quetta:** The Balochistan High Court has suspended the implementation of the controversial Mines and Minerals Act for one week following a constitutional petition challenging the law.

Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, central general secretary of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party and petitioner, described the court’s move as a victory for the province’s interests and a significant step toward protecting the rights of Balochistan’s people. He told the media that the temporary suspension underscores the legal and constitutional weight of their arguments and demonstrates that the court is taking local interests and provincial autonomy seriously.

Ziaratwal criticized the act for undermining provincial authority, stating that the current cabinet passed it in violation of the constitution, effectively transferring control over the province’s natural resources to the federal government. He warned that such actions deprive local communities of their rightful resources and emphasized that the matter extends beyond legal challenges to fundamental issues of constitutional governance and autonomy.

The petitioner called on the provincial government to ensure transparency and fairness in this matter and to prioritize provincial rights in future legislation. He also urged the people of Balochistan to remain united in defending their legal and constitutional rights to safeguard the province’s natural resources from undue federal control.

The High Court’s interim decision highlights the role of legal oversight in protecting local and constitutional interests, sending a clear message that provincial rights must be respected in resource governance.