Efficient Use of Natural Resources for a Prosperous Pakistan — Pakistan Affairs

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No child pages here — short revision notes in the order below.

Provincial Autonomy — Devolution of Power under the 18th Amendment — 18th Amendment: provincial ownership of minerals, oil and gas (Art. 172(3))
Pakistan's Internal Security Situation — Threats to Internal Security — internal security: the Balochistan resource-grievance link
Current Tenure — Coalition Governments (2022–Present) — current tenure: Reko Diq and the minerals push

CSS focus: explain causes and effects, use dated evidence, discuss limits and end with a judgment relevant to the wording.

Minerals: Reko Diq (copper-gold, one of world's largest untapped deposits, Balochistan), Thar coal (est. 175 billion tonnes, among world's largest lignite reserves), Saindak copper-gold
Water: Indus River System — massive hydropower potential (~60,000 MW estimated, <20% harnessed)
Energy: Untapped hydel, solar (especially Balochistan/Sindh deserts), wind corridor (Gharo-Keti Bandar, Sindh) potential
Fisheries: ~1,000 km coastline, underdeveloped deep-sea fishing industry
Agriculture land & water (see Agriculture Sector note)

Security concerns in resource-rich but conflict-affected areas (Balochistan) deter investment
Weak regulatory/contractual framework — Reko Diq dispute (international arbitration loss cost Pakistan ~$6 billion before renegotiated deal with Barrick Gold)
Provincial-federal friction over resource ownership & royalty distribution (18th Amendment gave provinces more control over minerals/oil-gas within their territory)
Lack of value addition — exporting raw minerals rather than processed/finished goods
Insufficient investment in exploration & survey technology
Environmental/social impact concerns often bypassed, leading to local community resistance

Thar coal-to-power projects — already contributing to grid (Thar Block-II), can be scaled with cleaner tech
Reko Diq revival (Barrick Gold JV, 2022 agreement) — model for structured foreign investment with local equity stake
Renewable energy transition — reduce costly fuel imports, improve energy security
Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC to add value to mineral wealth domestically
Community benefit-sharing models in Balochistan/GB to reduce resentment & insurgency drivers
Strengthen Geological Survey of Pakistan capacity for exploration

Link this topic to the Balochistan insurgency (resource grievances) and CPEC.
Reko Diq (arbitration loss, then renegotiation) is a strong, specific example to cite.