QUETTA: Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZ) on the request of the Balochistan government have declared Reko Diq mining area as export processing zone.
Vice Chairman Board of Governors of Reko diq Gold and Copper Project, Dr. Samar Mubarak Mand told this to Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani in a meeting on Tuesday.

He said that after final approval from Ministry of Industry, officials of the Balochistan government and EPZ would ink the memorandum of understanding in this regard.

Earlier, the CM Balochistan who is also chairman of the Board of Governors of the project approved decisions of the board including Rs 1.8 billion budget for the project for next year and revised recruitment committee.

Approval was also granted for establishing water pond for provision of water to the project.

Raisani pledged that the provincial government would run the project as per aspirations of people of the province.

He said that some elements tried to meet their vested interests through Reko diq project adding that however, their nefarious designs against the benefit of the province had been foiled.

The CM added some international forces did not want to see Pakistan and Balochistan to get progress and prosperity through Reko diq project.

Dr. Mand further told the CM Balochistan that Geological Survey of Pakistan had assured its fully cooperation regarding geographical survey drilling of the mining area.

He said that applications for recruitment in the project were being reviewed.
The CM instructed that all recruitment should be made purely on merit basis. APP