Legal action against illegal miners ordered in K-P

In a high-level meeting, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Advisor to the Caretaker Chief Minister, underscored the imperative need for unbiased action against individuals engaged in illegal mining activities under the Mines and Minerals Act. He emphasized that such actions should be taken without any discrimination.

During the meeting, he issued a directive for the immediate cessation of illegal mining operations in the Nowshera and Kohat districts and called for the confiscation of mining machinery and equipment belonging to those involved in these unlawful activities.

Shah pointed out that the consequences of illegal mining are severe and could have a detrimental impact on the national treasury. He highlighted the abundant presence of precious minerals in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and stressed the significance of their responsible and lawful exploitation.

Moreover, he expressed concern over the substantial financial losses incurred by the government due to illegal mining practices, emphasizing the necessity of preventive measures to curb this issue. Shah urged the Mineral Department to increase the registration of legal mining permit holders and make the regulatory aspects of mining in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa more robust and sustainable.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 7^th, 2023.