Reko Diq: hiring on merit

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

THIS is in response to Reko Diq and the role of Dr Samar Mubarakmand, the nuclear scientist, in its development. Pakistan has no experience of commercial mining. The Saindak copper-gold project was a disaster and so will be Reko Diq, mainly due to the lack of professional management and experience.

If public sector development is to be pursued, then all important positions should be advertised and filled on open merit with individuals having the experience in commercial mining. There are expatriates who can qualify for such jobs but not nuclear scientists who have already created a mess with the Thar coal gasification project.

DR FARID A. MALIK Ex-Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation

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Dr Tariq Ali

Jan 28, 2013 06:33am

Vary rightly said. These Fakes Scientists make a foul of Our Nartion in the name of National Interest.

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Akram

Jan 28, 2013 04:28pm

the author is correct in that such major projects are beyond Pakistan's domestic capabilities. it would be better to have a consortium of Pakistani companies partnering with at least one major mining group. This is the only way to produce the copper on time, on budget and have guaranteed customers at the end of billions of dollars of investment. Pakistan does not have the money, expertise, technology, management or experience to exploit this resource on its own. they must learn from other nations rather than charging headlong behind news paper headlines. The Saindak project is something to learn from.

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Abdul Malik

Jan 28, 2013 08:50pm

I could not agree more ! these so called scientists should now be sent home. It's high time they should call it a day and relax with all the wealth that they have acquired while in Govt service. Commercial mining is a totally different ball game. You need don't need people like Samar to explore such huge massive resources that Pakistan is bestowed with. Abdul Malik Toronto, Canada.

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Yawar

Jan 28, 2013 01:08pm

Good point. We should seek technical help from expatriots involved with the technical aspects of mining not only for Reko Diq and other similar current projects but also for setting up accredited curriculums and degrees in resource exploration and mining in our colleges and universities.

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Dr Khan

Jan 28, 2013 02:55pm

100% agree with you.

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