Maryam Nawaz calls for national consensus on exploiting mineral resources

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has called for a national consensus on exploiting Pakistan’s mineral resources, oil and gas to generate revenue for development, particularly in education and healthcare, stressing that exploration should not create difficulties for local communities.

Addressing the 89th convocation of Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore, she said all four provinces needed to do more to improve education and healthcare, adding that the country’s natural resources could help generate the funds required for development.

She said an enabling environment and consensus were necessary to ensure that resource exploration benefited local communities rather than creating difficulties for them.

Maryam also urged political leaders to set aside their differences, warning that Pakistan could no longer afford instability driven by political rivalry. She said the country’s development should not be put at risk for political gains or an atmosphere of hatred.

The chief minister said the federal government intended to keep governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for six months, while the emergency would remain in force until lasting peace was established and terrorism was completely eliminated.

She said the restoration of peace and the development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the federal government’s two main objectives, adding that it had no option but to succeed in its mission.

Government open to negotiations

Maryam said the government remained willing to negotiate with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), recalling that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had recently renewed his offer of dialogue with the opposition.

She alleged that the PTI leadership had rejected a draft agreement prepared during negotiations with the government, which included proposals for cooperation against terrorism in 12 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She said the government had subsequently narrowed the proposal to five districts, but the arrangement was still not accepted.

The chief minister said the proposed measures were intended to facilitate cooperation between the provincial and federal governments and law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism and restoring peace.

Recalling the recent talks between the federal government and the PTI, Maryam said government representatives had remained at the negotiating table until late at night and prepared several drafts incorporating the opposition’s proposals.

She named PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, Aamir Dogar, Salman Akram Raja and Raja Nasir Abbas among those involved in the negotiations, saying the rejection of the draft was not the fault of the opposition representatives who had participated in the talks.

She alleged that the PTI leadership in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been responsible for the rejection, adding that the federal government had sought cooperation to address the security situation.

The chief minister said the government had initially proposed special arrangements in 12 districts affected by terrorism before reducing the number to five. Under the proposal, she said, the provincial government was expected to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in operations against militants.

Maryam questioned why the federal government had to repeatedly seek the provincial government’s cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, saying provincial governments generally asked the Centre to provide additional security personnel, resources and intelligence-based operations when faced with terrorism.

She reiterated that the government was prepared to resume dialogue and cited the prime minister’s recent interaction with the opposition leader in parliament as evidence that the offer remained open.

Emergency to remain until targets are achieved

Maryam said the government intended to retain governor’s rule in KP for six months, while the emergency would remain in place until its stated objectives — lasting peace and the complete elimination of terrorism — were achieved.

She said the federal government could not afford to fail in its efforts to restore peace and promote development in the province.

The federal government imposed emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 11, citing the security situation and disagreements with the provincial administration over counterterrorism measures. Parliament subsequently endorsed the measures amid opposition protests. The joint sitting approved the governor’s rule proclamation for an initial period of two months, subject to the constitutional process for extension.

Maryam said Pakistan had gained international recognition through its diplomatic efforts and role in regional peace, but warned that political conflict could undermine stability. She urged political leaders to work together in the national interest rather than fuel divisions.

She concluded that the government was prepared to sacrifice political interests but would not compromise on the interests of the state, its institutions or national security.

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