Balochistan Point Voice of Nation
Quetta – Mysterious negotiations taking place between Balochistan government and Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) have put serious question marks on the transparency of any potential Rekodiq deal.
Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch along with his entourage is out of country for more than 10 days to negotiate an out of court settlement with TCC concerning Rekodiq deal.
TCC was extracting gold and copper from Rekodiq mines before its contract was terminated by government of Nawab Aslam Raisani due to low share of Balochistan government in the Rekodiq agreement.
TCC appealed against the decision of Balochistan government in Supreme Court but the decision of Balochistan government was retained by Apex Court. After that, TCC knocked the doors of International Court for Settlement of Disputes.
According to reports, case for TCC was weak but still Balochistan government is looking for an out of court settlement for mysterious reasons. Dr. Shahid Masood alleged that kickbacks would be received by bigwigs of Balochistan government for benefiting TCC in the proposed deal.
According to some rumors, Balochistan government has signed a new deal with TCC in which share of Balochistan government has been increased by 10%. There has been no official confirmation of these rumors.
Analysts believe that there is no plausible justification for re-entering into agreement with TCC which has in past failed to provide any benefits to Balochistan from Rekodiq mines.
Balochistan National Party (BNP) has condemned the mysterious negations on important deal of Rekodiq. “We would not accept any deal on Rekodiq signed without taking people of Balochistan into confidence,” read press statement of BNP.
Opposition leader in Balochistan Assembly, Molana Abdul Wasay has lambasted Balochistan government for improper dealing of Rekodiq issue. “Why Balochistan government is in haste to enter into an out of court settlement with TCC which has a weak case in court,” questioned Mr. Wasay.
“Just like Arsalan Iftikhar appointment issue, Balochistan government is dealing the important issue of Recodiq mines in an amateur way”, lamented an analyst while talking to The Balochistan Point.
“Balochistan can’t afford any loss in proposed Rekodiq deal which is possible due to incompetency of incumbent government,” added the analyst.
Staff Report
Published in The Balochistan Point on April 1, 2015
