China rescue option emerges as Pakistan slapped with $5.9bn fine

Gold and copper mine dispute brings another headache after IMF bailout deal

The government of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan cannot appeal the decision by the International Court for Settlement of Investment Disputes, but it can ask the court to review the amount of the fine. © Reuters

ADNAN AAMIR, Contributing writer

July 19, 2019 12:14 JST

QUETTA, Pakistan -- The possibility of Pakistan seeking assistance from China is emerging after the government was slapped with a $5.95 billion fine in a legal dispute over rights for a copper and gold mine in the country.

Tethyan Copper had filed a case against Pakistan with the International Court for Settlement of Investment Disputes in 2012 for violating an agreement that the company signed with Pakistan for exploration and mining of the Reko Diq mine.