In April 2025, Pakistan introduced a Mines and Minerals Bill for the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a proposal to formalize regulation of the province’s mineral resources. It comes at a time of increased India-Pakistan tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian civilians and the flurry of exchanges that have occurred since then between both countries. While the bill is framed as a technical reform, its content reflects expanding federal involvement in provincial affairs, growing military participation in the economy, and rising security concerns tied to domestic and regional developments.

The proposed law places KP’s mineral framework within broader objectives, including efforts to stabilize Pakistan’s economy, increase foreign investment, and consolidate institutional authority. However, critics allege the bill serves to enrich the country’s elite and empowers the military and intelligence establishment to take a more robust approach toward security of Pakistan’s prized assets.

Background and Context

The bill introduces changes to KP’s 2017 mining law. It establishes new regulatory institutions, expands licensing procedures, and authorizes a security force to tackle the issue of illegal mining and threats against commercial entities and personnel by insurgents. A new Mines Tribunal is also proposed. The bill sets a timeline for extending formal oversight to the province’s merged tribal districts by 2030. Officials have stated that the purpose is to reduce illegal mining and create a more structured investment environment. However, the timing and structure of the bill align closely with recent federal initiatives, raising concerns among legal and political observers.