Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Khan Mehsud on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting and directed authorities to intensify operations for the complete elimination of illegal placer gold mining along the banks of the Indus River in Nowshera district.
Commissioner for intensified crackdown to eliminate illegal gold mining in Nowshera
PESHAWAR, Jun 30 (APP): Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Khan Mehsud on Tuesday chaired a high-level review meeting and directed authorities to intensify operations for the complete elimination of illegal placer gold mining along the banks of the Indus River in Nowshera district.
The meeting reviewed progress on action against illegal mining activities, measures to protect legal lease holders and steps to strengthen coordination among enforcement agencies, said an official release here.
Participants included the Deputy Commissioner Nowshera, officials from the Mines and Minerals Department, police authorities and representatives of the legally authorised lease holder company.
During the briefing, district authorities informed the meeting that actions carried out under government directives had resulted in the elimination of around 70 percent of illegal mining activities in the area.
Authorities said efforts were underway to remove the remaining 30 percent through continued operations, checkpoints, joint enforcement actions, arrests and seizure of machinery.
Expressing satisfaction over the progress made so far, Riaz Khan Mehsud directed all relevant departments to launch strict and impartial action against the remaining illegal operators to ensure the complete eradication of the unlawful activity.
He also instructed authorities to provide full protection, facilities and a secure working environment to the legal lease holder in accordance with mining laws so that operations continue without disruption and government revenue from mineral resources remains protected.
The commissioner directed the district administration, police, Mines and Minerals Department, customs authorities and other relevant institutions to further strengthen coordination, tighten monitoring at existing checkpoints and establish additional checkpoints where required.
He also instructed the Deputy Commissioner Nowshera to convene a grand jirga comprising local elders to build community support for efforts aimed at preventing illegal mining.
The commissioner further ordered immediate seizure of machinery, vehicles and equipment used in illegal placer gold mining and said no leniency would be shown in enforcement of the law.
