Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Mines and Minerals Arif Ahmadzai on Monday announced a series of reforms aimed at improving transparency, digitalization and governance in the province’s minerals sector during a visit to Abbottabad and Mansehra.
KP minister pledges reforms as mine owners raise concerns over 765 restricted mining sites
ABBOTTABAD, Jul 13 (APP): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Mines and Minerals Arif Ahmadzai on Monday announced a series of reforms aimed at improving transparency, digitalization and governance in the province’s minerals sector during a visit to Abbottabad and Mansehra.
The minister reviewed the performance of the Mines and Minerals Department, ongoing projects and challenges facing the sector during visits to departmental offices. MPA Ikramullah Ghazi, Secretary Mines and Minerals Dr Muhammad Israr, Director General Mines and other senior officials accompanied him, while district officials briefed the minister on mining activities across Hazara Division.
During meetings with mine owners, leaseholders and miners, Ahmadzai listened to their concerns and distributed mineral licences to eligible miners and offer letters to leaseholders. He assured stakeholders that all genuine issues would be addressed on a priority basis in line with the directives of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.
The minister said the government would modernise the minerals sector through digitalisation, scientific planning, merit-based governance and greater transparency. He added that unnecessary lease extensions would be discouraged to ensure a more efficient and investor-friendly regulatory system.
Ahmadzai said issues relating to surface rent would be resolved on a priority basis and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that communities in mineral-rich areas benefit from local natural resources.
Addressing concerns over mining activities in forest areas, he said no mining would be allowed in protected forests.
However, he announced a review of areas where forest boundaries had been expanded, adding that the Mines and Forest departments would work within their legal mandates to reach a permanent solution based on official land revenue records.
The provincial minister described mine workers as the backbone of the sector and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their welfare. He also directed the Inspectorate of Mines to submit reports on public complaints within three days and ordered a review of liaison committee rules, proposing that the committees be shifted to the tehsil level for quicker resolution of local issues.
Representatives of the Mine Owners Association informed the minister that the expansion of forest boundaries had rendered 765 mining areas inaccessible or restricted, affecting investor confidence. They also called for a review of the 400 per cent increase in annual surface rent and sought stronger labour welfare measures.
At the end of the visit, Ahmadzai distributed certificates of appreciation among officers and officials of the Mines and Minerals Department for their outstanding services, reaffirming the government’s commitment to promoting transparent and sustainable development of the province’s mineral resources.
