NA Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis takes serious note of Balochistan coal mine tragedy; recommends registration of mine workers and revisiting of mining leases

 

Committee recommends CCI meeting within the constitutional timeline to settle Workers Welfare Fund devolution

 

• The Committee expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the coal mine accident in Balochistan and directed that all mining leases in the province be revisited.

 

• The Committee recommended that all provinces and Gilgit-Baltistan revisit the status of mines, the registration of labour and compliance with safety SOPs.

 

• The Committee recommended that a meeting of the Council of Common Interests be convened to take up the devolution of the Workers Welfare Fund.

 

• Chair Syed Rafiullah stated that “the rights of workers and labourers shall be ensured all over Pakistan.”

 

Islamabad (August 3, 2026); The Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, chaired by Syed Rafiullah, met today in the Constitution Room, Parliament House, to consider the implementation status of its previous recommendations and scrutinise the remaining recommendations relating to the Workers Welfare Fund (WWF).

 

2. The Committee opened its proceedings by offering fateha and paying tribute to the workers who lost their lives in the coal mine accident in Balochistan. Members observed that the recurrence of such incidents reflected a persistent failure of regulation and enforcement at the mine site. The Committee took particular note of the fact that a large number of workers engaged in the mining sector remain unregistered, which leaves their families without recourse to compensation or welfare entitlements when a tragedy occurs.

 

3. During the discussion, officials stated that the safety of mines and of mine workers falls within the provincial domain, and that a significant proportion of the workforce is seasonal in nature. The Committee did not accept seasonality as a ground for non-registration, with the Chair stating that any person engaged for three months or more ought to be registered. The Committee observed that the Ministry must establish effective linkages with the provincial mines departments, and that the district administration already holds data and sufficient access to enable registration. The Federal Minister informed the Committee that a survey would be undertaken to assess the position on the ground. The Committee and Chair recommended that financial compensation be provided to the workers of accident and Minister agreed with it.

 

4. The Committee drew attention to the absence of trauma and emergency care facilities in the mining areas, observing that the same concern had been placed before the Committee as early as 2021 without remedial action, and that no clear position was available regarding the availability of ambulances and allied emergency facilities. The Committee was informed that the matter was under examination and that Standard Operating Procedures were required to be observed at the mines. The Committee emphasised that the enforcement of safety protocols cannot remain a matter of record alone and must be demonstrable at the mine site.

 

5. The Committee was informed by the Secretary, Inter-Provincial Coordination Division, that the existing provincial arrangement would continue until the issue is settled, and that an amendment in the law was required, the matter now resting with the administrative Ministry. Secretariat of the Council of Common Interests stated that a new committee was being constituted on the issue. Expressing dissatisfaction at the continued absence of a settled position, the Committee recommended that a meeting of the Council of Common Interests be convened and the devolution of the Workers Welfare Fund be taken up on priority.

 

6. The Committee sought details of the interest earned on the deposits of the Workers Welfare Fund and called for a forensic audit of all expenditure. The Committee reiterated its earlier recommendation that the funds of the WWF held by ministry of finance be placed in interest-bearing accounts so that the returns may be utilised for the welfare of labour.

 

7. The Committee also took up the inquiry of the Federal Investigation Agency concerning the Protectorate of Emigrants. The Federal Minister informed the Committee that the matter had been reported by the Ministry and that action was taken thereafter, adding that the Ministry's objective is to digitise the process within four to six months so as to reduce the scope for malpractice.

 

8. The meeting of the Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development was attended by MNAs; Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti, Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto, Mr. Fateh Ullah Khan, Mr. Muhammad Ilyas Choudhary, Ms. Sofia Saeed Shah (virtually), Ms. Mah Jabeen Khan Abbasi (virtually), Ms. Saeeda Jamshid, Mr. Mian Khan Bugti, Mr. Farhan Chishti and Ms. Erum Hamid. The meeting was also attended by the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, the Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, the Secretary, Inter-Provincial Coordination Division, and senior officers of the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and the Workers Welfare Fund.