Minister urges excavation in Karoonjhar Hills

Says some quarters playing religion, culture card to impede development in area

MITHI:

The people of Tharparkar are sitting on granite worth billions of dollars, yet they are poor due to being misguided by reactionary forces impeding the progress of the people, the province and the country by playing religious and culture card, said Sindh Interim Minister for Mines and Minerals Mir Khuda Baksh Marri.

Exploitation of mineral resources is an essential practice for a country's development worldwide and that numerous countries derive a substantial portion of their GDP from mineral resources. A region's development should not be impeded by the vested interests of a few.

Speaking to the media at Rooplu Kohli Motel in Nangarparkar at a recent visit to various sites in the Karoonjhar Hills with Secretary Tahir Hussain Sangi, Marri revealed that Nangarparkar holds a total of 14.256 billion metric tons of granite worth billions of dollars. He said that his purpose in visiting the sites was to directly engage with local concerns, address grievances, and provide factual information to steer the region toward development.

Expressing regret over under utilising resources, Marri urged on the need to self-sustain with available resources rather than relying on external aid. He lamented the untapped potential despite possessing valuable resources and highlighted the need for local prosperity linked to resource utilisation.

Read Report on Karoonjhar excavation sought

Marri assured the preservation of archaeological points, indicating a radius of at least 200 meters away from extraction sites. He refuted propaganda suggesting temple and mosque destruction, saying that even the temples created in recent times are being protected. He said that neighbouring countries consider relocation if necessary, "but we will never relocate any place of worship for excavation purposes."

Marri mentioned the role of minerals in global functionality, citing examples of Japan's cars and China's mobiles utilising similar minerals found in Sindh. He connected local welfare to resource utilization and pledged 30 per cent of local mineral income toward community development, advocating for local installation of granite finishing industries.

Marri concluded by announcing plans for a return visit to Nagarparkar, engaging with the local community, and outlining forthcoming incentives for the development of Nangarparkar and Sindh. Alongside media representatives, he visited archaeological sites and addressed inquiries from local leaders, including Allah Rakha Khoso, Zulfiqar Khoso, Ghulam Mustafa, Ghani Khan Khoso, and Rano Faqir during the press conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 28^th, 2023.