PESHAWAR:The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) cabinet has approved a large-scale operation to crack down on illegal gold mining in the Indus River, targeting unauthorised activities in Swabi, Nowshera, and Kohat districts.
According to the Mineral Development Department, illegal gold extraction has been ongoing for several years in designated blocks (A, B, C, and D) along the Indus River. The activity has not only caused significant financial losses to the provincial treasury but has also contributed to environmental degradation.
Records show that 1,298 FIRs have been registered against illegal mining so far — 167 in Swabi, 430 in Nowshera, and 701 in Kohat. Authorities have collected Rs 8.8 million in fines, but the illicit practice continues.
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The decision to launch a full-scale operation was finalised in a meeting chaired by the KP Secretary of Mineral Development, attended by commissioners of Peshawar, Mardan, and Kohat divisions, as well as the Director General of Minerals. District administrations have been tasked with executing the operation.
Meanwhile, NAB Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Nazir Ahmed has expressed concerns over the low reserve value of Rs 4.92 billion worth of gold mining contracts in the Indus River and has directed the provincial government to review them.
Sources confirm that 17 gold mining blocks have been identified across the Indus and Kabul Rivers — 14 in the Indus River and three in the Kabul River, spanning districts including Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat, DI Khan, Charsadda, and Peshawar.
