As Sindh is locked with the centre on the canal issue, a political storm is brewing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over a new mining and minerals bill. The bill, introduced by a faction backed by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government in the provincial assembly, has drawn heavy criticism not only from opposition parties but also from allies and even within PTI itself. Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) emir Maulana Fazlur Rehman has strongly opposed the legislation, calling it “unacceptable” and a direct threat to provincial autonomy. At a press conference in Peshawar, he warned that the bill goes against the spirit of the 18th Amendment, which gives provinces the right to manage their own resources. He also accused both the federal government and international players of trying to take control of KP’s minerals without the province’s consent. Maulana Fazl’s outburst comes days after he met key PTI figures in Peshawar in a rare show of political engagement. Although often at odds with PTI, his recent outreach suggested a possible shift towards cooperation-until the mining bill reopened old wounds. Inside PTI, cracks are also showing. The party’s founder, Imran Khan speaking from prison reportedly ordered party lawmakers not to approve the bill without his final approval. He has asked Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to consult with him and with other political leaders before pushing the bill forward. The KP government claims the law is meant to curb illegal mining and attract investment. But critics say it is just a way for the centre to take charge of KP’s resources, ignoring the province’s constitutional rights. After the maulana’s press conference, one thing is clear that this mine bill is digging deep political fault lines, both within parties and between provinces and the centre. *