Comments on: The Reko Diq saga

By: Cyrus Howell

Cyrus Howell — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:22:22 +0000

Why should the people of Balochistan want to allow Islamabad and Lahore to rob them of their natural resources and give nothing back to them. What is the difference? They can make a better deal for themselves with China than they can with Islamabad. The Frontier Corps is killing these people in order for Pakistan to invalidate contacts and exploit these natural resources for itself. All that is left for the elite to steal is in Balochistan. Even the Taliban is agitating and closing in on that land hoping for an independent Balochistan they can exploit.

By: Cyrus Howell

Cyrus Howell — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:11:02 +0000

“These Chinese all weather friends of yours never give anything unless they get something in return.”
That is not only an international law, it is a law of God.

By: Cyrus Howell

Cyrus Howell — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:09:02 +0000

Copper has been a sought after world commodity since the Greeks fought the Persians.
The Chinese have made deals to mine copper wherever the can find them. China intends to maintain itself as a world power and bring prosperity to it’s one billion people.
Pakistan wants to bring prosperity only to certain pockets. What industrial uses and processes for copper does Pakistan have that would bring added value to exports?

By: khan

khan — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 03:04:29 +0000

I have heard that out of 5 parts, 4 parts has been extracted by Chinese, china is a good friend of pakistan, but still its all about benefits which they can see and grab and we cant, sorry but it feels like we are being exploited, if they are using us why cant we use them and fact is we aren’t getting much benefit as compared to what they are getting. I think in future , History book will mention that ” Once east india company came to this region and then came the Chinese and took everything”

By: Azhar

Azhar — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 02:02:46 +0000

It would have been nice if the author had named people responsible in the signing of the project.at the time, where they are now and their affiliation then and present.

By: S. Nasir Mehdi

S. Nasir Mehdi — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:56:52 +0000

We have some billionaire Pakistanis as well Canadian national doctor. If they want to take part in elections they should be asked to invest in Reko project as well as install coal fired power stations. Any one who does that may take part in elections.

By: arju

arju — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:31:31 +0000

Unfortunately it is not only chinese, it is any foreign MNC. First they find out the corrupt or inefficient politicians or officials, then they bribe them peanuts and extract lucrative contracts. In the end they rob the country of any wealth whatsoever they can, and leave with environmental . And if the courts or countries try to stand erect against their wills, they should loudly in international tribunals and WTO.
If some company is convicted- their executives flee to powerful contries who just don’t extradict these thieves to face justice.
Think about it, if these companies try to create a mess in european countries or in USA, the courts are quick to fine them into millions. Here is a reverse justice. If the provincial Government did not uphold a contract with a foreign company, So what?

By: Parvez

Parvez — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 18:15:19 +0000

Balochistan and its people have always paid a heavy price for the mis-governance of the rulers who sadly have been Baloch’s themselves ( a handful of shamefully rich ones ).

By: Akram

Akram — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:41:07 +0000

a well thought out article, as a mining investor myself. Reko Diq is an example of how not to exploit your mineral wealth. a better example is what Sindh has done with the Thar Coalfield, as suggested by the author the resource is large enough to be shared by more than one major company. Pakistan needs companies like BHP, Antofagasta, Barrick Gold and Rio Tinto to mine and bring investment to the country. As well as the knowledge and technology to exploit this resource and others to the benefit of the country.

Time is of the essence with this resource as the Copper boom is not going to last forever. Pakistan must exploit the resource quickly and this is only possible with assistance from a foreign major mining company. Dreams of a nationalized company I fear are naive, and will lead to the resource being wasted by not using proper methods or management. Nationalisation is not important, what is important is that Pakistan benefits from this resource, mostly Baluchistan should benefit.

By: raika45

raika45 — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:44:54 +0000

This Chinese all weather friends of yours never give anything unless they get something in return.You have huge wealth in the form of gold,copper,oil and gas in Baluchistan. Enough to bring prosperity to your country.The only thing lacking is a sense of ability and knowledge to exploit it.Baluchistan going it’s way your central government going it’s own.You people on your own cannot exploit this “gems” nor are you allowing others to help you.Reminds one of the dog in the manger story.In the meantime your government goes with a begging bowl to the IMF and so for money.Kamal hai tum Pakistan