East Baluchistan hires former British PM’s wife to contest Reko Diq case

The East Baluchistan government has engaged the services of reputed international lawyers to defend its point of view in the International Arbitration in connection with the Reko Diq case.

The move comes after the International Chamber of Commerce served notices on the government for refusing a mining licence of Reko Diq project to Tethyan Copper Company (TCC).

The lawyers are Aruthor Marriott QC, Cherry Blair QC, Ahmar Bilal Sufi, Barrister Mehnaz Malik and Baluchistan Advocate General Amanullah Kunrani. Aurthor Marriott QC is a renowned lawyer from England, and his area of expertises is mining disputes.

Cherry Blair QC, the wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is also a renowned lawyer. Mehnaz Malik is the expert of international investment issues. Ahmer Bilal Sufi is also a senior international legal expert.

According to a daily Times Pakistan report, the Baluchistan chief minister has approved the legal team, which has started arranging videoconferences for the preparation of replies in the international arbitration.

A member of the legal team has also confirmed that the Baluchistan government has hired five legal experts, who were drafting their replies about the issue.

Tethyan Copper Company in November 2011 filed a case against Pakistan in an international court of arbitration to protect its legal rights in line with the CHEJVA Agreement and Baluchistan Mineral Rules 2002.

http://www.baluchinews.com/2012/01/east-baluchistan-hires-former-british.html