LAHORE - Dozens of mega development projects including Gwadar Port, Coastal Highway, Mirani Dam, Kachhi Canal and Sandak Copper Gold project in Balochistan have been initiated with an aim to end sense of deprivation among its people. It is an open secret that Pakistan has had proven reserves of metallic minerals like copper, gold, silver, chromites, iron, lead and zinc, which are still untapped. One of the worlds largest reserves of gold and copper were discovered at Reko Diq in the Chaghi area of Pakistans southwest Balochistan Province. According to development experts, some 12.3 million tons of copper and 20.9 million ounces of gold lie in the Reko Diq area. The copper-gold deposits at Reko Diq are believed to be even bigger than those of Sarcheshmeh in Iran and Escondida in Chile. Three Australian mining companies, BHP Billiton, the largest Copper mining company in the world, Tethyan Copper Company (TCC) and Mincor Resources are engaged in the exploration of copper, gold and other base metals in district Chaghi, Balochistan with an investment of about $ 152 million. Under the agreement, 75 per cent shares were given to TCC of Australia and 25 per cent to the Balochistan Development Authority (BDA). An annual production of 200 to 500 million pounds of copper is estimated. Reports emerging from various sources indicate that the $65 billion natural deposit will be sold for $21 billion to TCC. The TCC states that work on the feasibility study has commenced and the project would be completed, most probably, in early 2012. It is a world-class copper and gold porphyry style deposit. The world copper and gold prices have been doubled from the first estimates for our reserves. Why should we give out 75pc of our reserves to get 25pc back after investing 25pc in the project? The provincial government is seeking to get about 80 pc of the project share. Ever since the Balochistan crisis started, a foreign hand is being responsible for the troubles in Balochistan. The tug-of-war to reach the natural resources of CARs is generally called as Great Power Game with Iran, USA, India and Russia as active players promoting their respective national interests. India wants to capture oil and gas reserves from Central Asia and Iran, through Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that India would attempt to create hurdles and would ensure that the Gwadar deepwater port does not become hub port. Washingtons interests in Balochistan have become very pronounced over the period of time. The sole objective of the US was to possess the enormous natural resources of Central Asian Republics as well controlling the transit trade routes. The Baloch see the United States as a potential troublemaker. Some Pakistanis suspect that Washington would like to use Balochistan as a rear base for an attack on Iran and would also like to get China out of the region. To begin US wants to encircle China by not allowing pipeline from Iran through Western China via Pakistan. The United States, in competition with China and Iran, would like to control the oil supply lines from the Middle East and Central Asia and would also like to use its Greater Middle East initiative to dismantle the major Muslim states and redefine borders in the region. The people of Balochistan feel dispossessed by this unjust Reko Diq project as the agreement with TCC has not only undermined the rights of the Baloch people, but also depriving the Balochis worth billions of dollars. Realising this, Balochistan government has cancelled the agreement with TCC Australian company for exploratio of copper and gold in the Reko Dik area of Chaghai district. Now, the Balochistan government had handed over affairs of the project to the department of Mines And Mineral Development and acquired the services of eminent nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand who would head its board of governors. The proponents of scuttling the project state that the mines will create thousands of high paying jobs and would give a massive boost to the local economy. However, this demands revenues generation activity (international funding) to acquire infrastructure associated with the mining industry. Secondly, it also necessitates the provision of local expertise to explore and develop deposits for export. Nevertheless, the termination of the contract with worlds leading gold and copper mining firm could mar Pakistans image as an investment destination, and the multinational corporations would not invest in a country where deals were cancelled after finalisation of the contract.