Peshawar: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said the province's residents must have the first right to its natural resources, rejecting the prospect of outsiders exploiting its wealth without local participation.
Addressing a ceremony in Peshawar, Kundi said protecting the interests of the province's population would remain his priority under governor's rule. “No one should think that foreigners will come and loot this province. Till I am here, the people of the province will have the first right to its resources,” he said.
The governor clarified that investment from outside KP was not being ruled out, but said foreign and domestic investors should pursue joint ventures with people from the province. His comments come amid questions over the management of KP's mineral resources following the imposition of governor's rule and emergency measures in the province.
Resource ownership becomes political issue
Jamiat Ulema i Islam Fazl (JUI F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has alleged that the decision to impose governor's rule and emergency measures in KP was connected to efforts by the federal government to gain control of the province's resources.
During a National Assembly session earlier this week, Fazlur Rehman questioned the Centre's intentions regarding mineral resources and criticised the decision to place the province under emergency administration.
Separately, claims have circulated on social media suggesting that KP's mineral resources could be transferred or sold to the United States. No evidence establishing such an arrangement was presented in the supplied reports.
Kundi did not directly address those allegations or identify any proposed mineral agreement during his speech. Instead, he acknowledged reports circulating in the media and on social platforms and said his responsibility was to protect the interests of the province's residents.
He also referred to the range of natural resources available in KP, although he did not announce any new policy governing their extraction or allocation.
Constitutional and economic context
The dispute comes against the backdrop of longstanding disagreements between the federal government and provinces over control of natural resources, revenue distribution and investment decisions.
Pakistan's Constitution provides a framework for federal and provincial responsibilities over natural resources. Article 172(3), for example, establishes joint and equal ownership by the federal government and the relevant province of mineral oil and natural gas within the province or its adjoining territorial waters.
The constitutional treatment of other mineral resources depends on the applicable legislative and regulatory framework. KP has deposits of marble, limestone, gemstones and other minerals, making mining and associated investment an area of economic interest.
However, questions concerning licensing, revenue sharing, environmental safeguards and benefits for local communities remain important to how resource development is managed.
The governor's remarks indicate support for local participation in investment projects, but do not establish whether the administration intends to introduce changes to existing mineral policies or contracts.
Governor pledges protection of provincial interests
Kundi said his priorities were the protection of KP's people, followed by the province and the country. The statement comes as governor's rule has intensified political debate over provincial autonomy and the distribution of administrative powers.
While the governor has administrative authority under the emergency arrangement, questions about mineral ownership and investment rights must still be assessed against the Constitution and applicable laws.
No details were provided about potential joint ventures, proposed investors or specific mineral projects. The dispute is likely to remain part of the wider political debate over KP's governance, particularly as opposition figures continue to question the reasons for the emergency measures and their implications for provincial resources.
