News Desk
QUETTA: Canadian company Barrick Gold Corporation has formally started work on the Reko Diq project in Balochistan, the firm’s head announced Sunday.
In a ceremony at the Chief Minister’s secretariat on Sunday, the company’s Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Mark Bristow, said that the firm had established a project office in Quetta, reported private media house.
He said, “we have employed the best team of professional experts while locals are also working on the project.”
Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, Acting Speaker of Balochistan Assembly Sardar Babar Musakhail, Opposition Leader Malik Sikander Khan, MPAs, and cabinet members attended the ceremony.
Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo said that the participation of the opposition members in the event shows that the provincial government and the opposition are on the same page regarding the project.
“We have come here after a lot of difficulties, including legislation, taking the political leadership into confidence, and removing obstacles to the historic agreement,” he said.
Abdul Qudous Bizenjo said that the legislation was a difficult phase, but it was achieved amicably, and now the implementation of the project has started.
Reko Diq project a blessing for Pakistan: CM
He said this project would be a blessing for Pakistan and Balochistan.
The Chief Executive of Barrack Gold Corporation thanked the Chief Minister and members of the Provincial Assembly for welcoming him and his team.
Calling it a historic moment, Mark Bristow said work on the project had begun at the start of the new year.
He further said that the process of further recruitment of employees has started in the Quetta office, adding that most of the team consists of local people.
He said that the company’s top priority would be building a cordial and trustworthy relationship with the community and working for their welfare.
Mark Bristow emphasized the need to create a sense of ownership and partnership among locals by allowing them to participate in the project.
