PESHAWAR: Student groups from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have unanimously rejected the proposed Mines and Minerals Bill 2025, declaring it an attack on provincial autonomy and pledging to launch street protests if the bill moves forward.
The announcement came during a conference held at Bacha Khan Markaz, hosted by the Pakhtun Students Federation (PkSF) and chaired by its provincial president Achak Khan Achakzai. Leaders from several student organizations, including Islami Jamiat Talba, Pakhtunkhwa Students Organisation, Jamiat Talba Islam, Peoples Students Federation, Insaf Students Federation, and Muslim Students Federation, participated in the event.
Speakers criticized the bill as a federal overreach into KP’s control over its natural resources, violating the spirit of the 18th Amendment. They emphasized that provinces have constitutional rights to manage their own resources and any attempt to limit these powers is unacceptable.
The participants passed a resolution rejecting the draft law and warned of a province-wide movement against the KP government if the bill is passed. They also demanded its immediate withdrawal and called for inclusive consultation with students and public representatives before introducing any such legislation in the future.
