Reko Diq deal is legal, rules SC on presidential reference

ISLAMABAD: New deal on the Reko Diq gold and copper mining project in Balochistan is legal, ruled the Supreme Court (SC) on Friday, ARY News reported.

Reko Diq is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold mines. The project is being restarted after remaining on hold since 2011.

The top court announced the ruling on a reference sent by President Arif Alvi under Article 186 of the Constitution of Pakistan in the Reko Diq Project on the advice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The president asked the apex court whether a new deal on the Reko Diq project was legally safe under the Constitution of Pakistan and international arbitration.

The SC in its ruling said that international experts assisted the court and added that the Reko Diq deal is not in contradiction with the SC’s order in 2013.

Read more: Supreme Court reserves verdict in Reko Diq Presidential reference

The agreement was done by the federal and Balochistan governments in line with the opinion of experts and there is nothing illegal in it.

Terming the agreement, as environment friendly, the apex court in its verdict further said that the company has ensured to safeguard the rights of the laborers.

It may be noted that the decision on the reference was reserved by the SC on November 29 after wrapping up the hearing on the Reko Diq.