The former chief minister of Balochistan Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch has slammed incumbent Chief Minister (CM) Mir Abdul Quddos Bizenjo for his ‘misleading’ comments on consulting with him about the Reko Diq project.
In a statement on Sunday, Dr. Baloch said he was not among the consulted and involved members of the Reko Diq project.
This comes days after the Balochistan government approved the 10 million dollar Reko Diq project with the Canada-based Barrick Gold Corporation.
Bizenjo, in a statement, had said that he met with Dr. Baloch and briefed him about the Reko Diq project and its details. However, the former CM declined the statement, saying that there was no truth to it. He added that he was neither consulted about the Reko Diq project nor was he involved in any way in the project. “I have not supported the Reko Diq project,” the NP president maintained.
He further said that the CM had come into his home and he welcomed him as per the Balochi traditions. He asked the provincial government to bring before the Baloch masses all the details of the Reko Diq project.
Separately, former provincial minister for planning and development Zahoor Ahmed Buledi, in a statement, said that the settlement of Reko Diq was important for the provincial and national interests. Criticizing Bizenjo, the former minister said that the CM should call a press conference and brief the masses about the details of the Reko Diq project.
The minister decried the present government of Balochistan and said that those political parties who have been attached with the government — pointing out to their involvement in the Reko Diq project as well — should also present before the people their explanations. Replying to the statement of Dr Baloch regarding his non-involvement in the consultation team about the Reko Diq project, Buledi said that other parties should also determine their role in the project.
