Lawmakers clash over KP mining act, briefing deferred until next week

PESHAWAR: A high-level briefing by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Department of Minerals on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Act 2025 turned chaotic and was eventually boycotted during a provincial assembly session.

The ruling party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf appeared divided into two factions over the proposed legislation, prompting the speaker of the assembly to postpone the briefing until next Monday.

The uproar began on Monday during the session when a heated exchange broke out between Awami National Party (ANP) MPA Nisar Baz and Provincial Minister for Education Meena Khan Afridi over the new Act. Nisar Baz, an opposition MPA, accused the government of passing the Act under pressure from the establishment, despite its anti-establishment claims.

Also read: KP’s proposed minerals legislation stirs tension in PTI

In response, Minister Afridi shot back, telling him to “sit down” and remarking that “we know your worth.” The exchange led to a temporary halt in the briefing, as opposition members intervened to calm tensions and asked Nisar Baz to return to his seat.

When the Director General of Minerals resumed the briefing, several lawmakers from the ruling party — including Malik Anwar Zeb, Aurangzeb Khan, and Abdul Salam — raised strong objections. They questioned the legitimacy of the legislation, arguing that it lacked the input of PTI founder Imran Khan, and questioned the purpose of the briefing in his absence. Over 20 lawmakers from the ruling party walked out in protest. However, several ministers, advisors, and special assistants did not join the boycott.

Later, KP Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati officially postponed the detailed briefing on the Mines and Minerals Act until next Monday, stating, “We are not in a hurry. Consultations on the Act will continue.”

Speaking to the media, Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam said that the Act would be further debated in the Assembly and that the legislature retains the authority to make amendments.

He saidthat the cabinet had already incorporated several changes to the Act based on members’ recommendations.

Leader of the Opposition in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Dr Ibad Khan affirmed that no compromise would be made on provincial rights and said that joint action would be taken after thorough consultations on the Mines Act.