The Supreme Court has restrained the Balochistan government from granting the mining lease at Reko Diq to any mining company till the final decision of this case. Reko Diq is a small town in Chagai district in Balochistan in the middle of a wedge-like cartographic protrusion of land that separates Afghanistan and Iran. Reko Diq is located close to Saindak gold and copper mine, and the proven and estimated worth of its deposits far exceeds that of its neighbouring mine. Reko Diq’s proven gold and copper reserves are worth $ 260 billion, while the estimated reserves are to the tune of $ 3 trillion. However, the experience of Saindak, which was leased by the federal government to the Chinese Metallurgical Construction Company in 2002 on highly unfavourable terms, giving only two percent of profits to Balochistan, has woven a web of suspicion around the federal government’s handling of the Reko Diq project. Ever since this issue has been raised in the media and subsequently challenged in the Supreme Court, all kinds of competing claims have been made on the best way to develop the mine. Member Science and Technology of the Planning Commission and Chairman of the National Engineering and Scientific Commission Dr Samar Mubarakmand has submitted in the Supreme Court that Pakistan is self-sufficient and does not need foreign help to develop the Reko Diq mines. Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, on the other hand, has claimed that the Balochistan government expected to receive Rs 120 billion as gas development surcharge arrears from the federal government, which it would invest in the development of Reko Diq. Given the history of abuse of Balochistan’s resources by the Centre, the sensitivity to the project is at its peak. Although the Balochistan government has been compelled to make these claims under the pressure of nationalist objections, they need to be taken with a pinch of salt. The amount of capital required for this project ($ 500-550 billion) is something that the Balochistan government will find it hard to raise on its own. Pakistan in general and Balochistan in particular is not a favoured destination for investors given the adverse law and order situation. If indeed the provincial government were able to raise such money, Pakistan would need to hire foreign mining experts, which again would cost money. With the SC’s order to the provincial government not to issue a mining lease until a decision by the court, potential investors may be discouraged. Also, with due respect to noted nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand, although the country has produced brilliant scientific minds, that does not make up for its lack of the latest technology as well as technical expertise for the development of a large-scale mining venture such as Reko Diq. It would entail the development of infrastructure for mining the ore as well as setting up of a processing facility for refining the extracted metals. For all these reasons, a highly profitable project may go into limbo. While agreeing with the Baloch grievances regarding the misuse of their resources, we must not be taken in by exaggerated claims on the basis of nationalism. If the Balochistan government is suspicious about the intentions of Tethyan Copper and Gold Company (TCC), which has been issued the exploration licence and has been negotiating for a mining contract, then it could opt for a middle ground and invite international tenders from other companies and accept the one that offers the best terms and conditions, including training of local manpower. This project, which has tremendous potential to profit Balochistan and the country, must not be mothballed for another decade.*