SC to resume Reko Diq reference hearing tomorrow
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The Supreme Court put off the hearing on the Reko Diq Presidential Reference till tomorrow (Tuesday), the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Monday.
Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman told the court that the draft of the Minerals Act 1948 is yet to be approved by the Balochistan Assembly.
The Balochistan government and opposition unanimously passed a resolution regarding Reko Diq legislation and there is no possibility of corruption in the project, the lawyer said, adding that agreements and negotiations are being done openly and transparently.
The lawyer was asked to satisfy the court if the amendment of the law was valid or not. Justice Muneeb Akhtar said it is unclear if the Minerals Act 1948 is a federal or provincial matter. He questioned how can a province amend the Minerals Act 1948 if it is a matter of the federal government.
The court was told that the Balochistan government is amending the provisions of the Minerals Act 1948 related to the province. Justice Jamal Mandukhel questioned if the legislation made for the project is applicable to the other provinces.
Chief Justice Umar Atta said the government has to sign the project pact by December 15 and the court put off the hearing for tomorrow. Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, a five-judge Supreme Court bench, took up the presidential reference on Reko Diq.