Minister unearths illegal sand, stone transportation
Illicit practices in sand and stone supply, amounting to millions of rupees in losses to the national exchequer, have been exposed during a crackdown on illegal mining activities.
According to an official statement, the operation conducted in the mountainous region of Sakhi Sarwar in Dera Ghazi Khan revealed widespread irregularities in the supply of sand and stone involving daily kickbacks totaling millions of rupees.
Accompanied by his team and local law enforcement officials, Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani oversaw the apprehension of suspects, resulting in the filing of several FIRs and immediate suspension orders against the deputy and assistant directors concerned of the department.
Directives were issued to register cases against all employees involved in the irregularities.
Addressing the media, Gorchani expressed grave concern over the unchecked illegal supply of truckloads of sand and stone across the country, with an estimated 3,000 trucks dispatched daily, each reportedly paying bribes ranging from Rs2,000 to Rs3,000.
He warned of strict repercussions for any government employee found colluding with criminal syndicates to defraud the state treasury.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2024.