SIALKOT: Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, has rejected claims that the country’s military institutions are seeking mining contracts or attempting to take control of mineral resources in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Speaking to the media in Sialkot, the defence minister categorically denied allegations that the military was seeking to seize the province’s mineral wealth.
Asif claimed that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had issued thousands of licences for mineral extraction in KP to PTI leaders and individuals based in the United States.
He said he had shared figures and relevant details on his X (formerly Twitter) account, adding that the media could approach the relevant authorities to independently verify the official records.
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The minister also referred to statements made by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in the Senate and the National Assembly, saying they shed light on the actions of several prominent politicians. Asif described the details as evidence of what he characterised as questionable political conduct.
He further highlighted the contributions of Pakistan’s defence institutions over the past three years in safeguarding the country’s economic and diplomatic interests.
The minister’s remarks come amid debate over control of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s mineral resources and claims concerning the allocation of mining licences.
