Illegal gold mining thrives in Mianwali
Illegal gold extraction from the River Indus has surged at a point known as Peer Pahai, where the river narrows as it enters Mianwali from Attock, a site once earmarked for the Kalabagh Dam.
The area has recently become the centre of large-scale placer gold mining, with reports confirming that nearly two dozen excavator machines are operating round the clock to extract gold from the riverbed.
The illicit trade now generates millions of rupees in income, with the spoils distributed through a network stretching from local operators to higher-level benefactors.
Dubki lies about three hours from Kalabagh police station, at the southern edge of Mianwali district, bordering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on one side and Attock on the other.
Due to difficult terrain and limited manpower, the department of minerals had struggled to enforce regulations. Its small team requires up to six hours to reach the site, and whenever vehicles appear in the distance, miners often fleesome crossing into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or across the river. In some cases, officials have dismantled excavator parts to disable machinery, but the lure of gold quickly brings operations back to life.
Speaking to The Express, District Police Officer (DPO) Rai Muhammad Ajmal said the police initiated action against placer gold miners in 2024, registering eight FIRs initially. However, the illegal activity persisted.
"In 2025, police intensified operations, resulting in 23 FIRs, seizure of 29 excavators, 8 tractor-trolleys, five cars, two trucks, 47 vehicles in total, two motorcycles and two water pumps," he said.
The district administration has imposed Section 144 in the area to prevent further unlawful activity. "For the first time in history, this entire stretch has been cleared," DPO Ajmal asserted, adding that despite the challenging terrain and long distances, police teams worked day and night to protect national resources.
"No one will be allowed to violate Section 144 or exploit this area illegally again," he added.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has also taken notice of the issue. The Punjab government has decided to bring approximately 32 tons of placer gold reserves under formal revenue generation. The Department of Minerals has assigned NESPAK the task of conducting technical and financial assessments for the Attock placer gold deposits.
According to official documents, NESPAK will carry out a comprehensive survey and mining plan at a cost of Rs553 million, initially focusing on five out of nine identified placer gold blocks. The Minerals Department has also requested Rs43 million in funds for monitoring the detailed survey.
The study will include excavation planning, geological surveys, physiographic mapping, and reserve price assessments.
A previous study of the Attock placer gold deposits was also completed under the Geological Survey of Pakistan.
With law enforcement tightening its grip and the provincial government moving to regulate the resource formally, authorities hope to finally transform what was once an illegal operation into a structured, revenue-generating mining sector.