GB Chief Court accepts petition challenging award of licence to Mohsin Industries
Gilgit, December 13 (PR): Gilgit Baltistan Chief Court, admitted a Writ Petition for regular hearing yesterday in which the issuance of Exploration Licenses by Government of Gilgit-Baltistan in favor of Mohsin Industries has been challenged by M/s Pan Euro International, Bilchar Trade International and Skardu Gems & Minerals declaring the same illegal, unlawful, with out authority and against the national interest.
Shehbaz Khan Senior Advocate appeared and argued on behalf of petitioners and GB Government was represented by Deputy Advocate General whereas Mr. Mir Ikhlaq Advocate appeared on behalf of Mohsin Industries.
The petitioners have termed the issuance of Exploration Licenses to Mohsin Industries alone an act of discrimination & disparity by throwing into dustbin already submitted applications of the petitioners and other 200 Locals , Non Locals and Foreign entrepreneurs pending since three years, which amounts to gross violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the provisions of Gilgit Baltistan (Empowerment & Self Governance) Order 2009. The petitioners have contended that while issuing Exploration Licenses to Mohsin Industries, the Government of Gilgit Blatistan not only betrayed its own GB Government Cabinet decision made in its 4th Cabinet Meeting held on 29th October, 2010 wherein the ban was imposed on issuance of Exploration Licenses & Mining Leases till further orders but also disgraced the resolution of Gilgit Baltistan Legislative Assembly dated 7th June 2011 in this regard thus committed contravention of GB Rules of Business 2009 as well.
The petition pointed out the gross violations of Northen Areas Mining Concession Rules 2003 committed by the Mineral Department of Gilgit Baltistan Government before and after issuance of EL in favor of a Foreign National Wang Zunyu,s exclusive owned company namely Mohsin Industries. It has been contended that the in presence of already submitted applications for the same two places by several local entrepreneurs including the Petitioners, the Mineral Department illegally processed and approved the incomplete & defective applications of Mr. Wang Zunyu. Moreover, as per Estimated cost of the three years exploration project, Mr. Wang Zunyu,s Company submitted proposal for an investment of just 70 Million Rupees in the EL Area as a foreign national company whereas the Section 106 of NA Mining Concession Rules 2003 declares the investment upto300 Million Rupees as Small Scale Mining restricted for Pakistan Nationals only. Moreover the petition contains details of several violations of mandatory provisions of Mining Rules committed by the Mineral Department as well as Mohsin Industries even after issuance of Exploration Licenses.
The Petition contains details of illegal and suspected activities of Mohsin Industries and Mr. Wang since 2008 regarding illegal mining, processing and transportation of sensitive metals to unknown places . The petitioners have further submitted details of suspected activities and incidents of following & harassing the Chinese Businessmen intended to make investment in Gilgit Baltistan.
The petitioners have produced various documents to substantiate and authenticate their case.
The next date of hearing has been fixed for 22,d February, 2012 after winter vacactions for submission of comments/replication of GB government.
