Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : A major corruption scandal has rocked Pakistan’s mineral sector, with Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) Chairman and National Resources Limited (NRL) CEO Shamsuddin Shaikh at the center of allegations involving abuse of authority, conflict of interest, selling state secrets to private entities, and institutional conspiracy.
Sources reveal that Shaikh allegedly misused his official position to deliberately exclude PMDC from a joint venture involving highly valuable antimony deposits discovered in Balochistan. Instead, he attempted to secure control over these reserves through NRL a private company where he serves as CEO. This move is not only a blatant case of institutional fraud but also a glaring example of sacrificing national interests for personal gain.
Under a formal agreement, PMDC and Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) had established a 50/50 joint venture to explore and commercialize vast antimony reserves in Balochistan’s Qilla Abdullah and Zhob districts. The partnership was set to be officially announced at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025. However, Shaikh allegedly intervened at the last moment, brokering a separate deal between OGDCL and NRL, effectively sidelining PMDC from the project.
Sources claim Shaikh exploited PMDC’s confidential data, historical geological records, experts, field teams, and infrastructure to facilitate NRL’s application for antimony leases in Balochistan—a move that directly conflicts with PMDC’s legal authority and territorial claims. Furthermore, PMDC’s Managing Director, reportedly appointed under Shaikh’s influence, allegedly issued orders granting NRL access to these state resources under pressure.
Throughout this process, neither PMDC issued any official clarification nor did OGDCL refute public claims, suggesting the scheme was executed with deliberate planning and internal collusion.
Legal experts argue that the scandal constitutes a punishable offense under the Pakistan Penal Code, NAB Ordinance, and laws pertaining to misuse of authority. In cases of such severe conflict of interest, immediate suspension of the accused official, judicial inquiry, financial audit, and full record scrutiny are imperative.
Additionally, the case may qualify as constitutional misconduct, involving breach of state secrets and illegal transfer of national assets—crimes punishable by imprisonment, fines, and lifetime disqualification from public office.
The controversy has dealt a severe blow to foreign investment prospects in Pakistan’s mineral sector, particularly at a time when PMDC and OGDCL were preparing to jointly develop 10 high-value blocks in Gilgit-Baltistan containing copper, gold, nickel, and cobalt.
While the Gilgit-Baltistan government has moved to modernize its mining policy by replacing the “first come, first served” model with a transparent auction system, scandals like this erode investor confidence—especially when federal institutions themselves are implicated in such collusion.
The federal government recently announced reforms to modernize mineral education, upgrade geological surveys, and enhance refining capacity. However, without strict enforcement of transparency, accountability, and conflict-of-interest laws, influential figures like Shaikh will continue undermining state institutions, leaving Pakistan’s natural resources vulnerable to exploitation.
The antimony scandal is not just a corruption case but a critical test of governance, judicial integrity, and the state’s ability to prioritize public interest over private gain. An immediate, impartial, and decisive resolution is essential for the country’s future.
When contacted for comment, Shamsuddin Shaikh did not respond to detailed queries.