REFERENCE the story ‘Losing our marble’ (EOS Nov 12). Contrary to the facts, the issuance of the leases is not the mandate of Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC), it is the provincial government’s and the Directorate of Mines and Mineral’s responsibility. PASDEC is not a lease issuing authority.

The company has been facilitating the miners with different machines for mechanised mining. There machines are being provided on the first-come-first-served basis and to only those miners who are adopting the mechanised mining approach.

The company has also established two machinery pools, 15 mechanised quarries, and one marble city whereas two common facility and training centers are also being established. Besides this, the company has trained more than 605 operators in mechanised mining, and 1,262 women on mosaic, inlay and handicraft to encourage skill development in collaboration with donor agencies.

Asad Ali
Deputy Manager, PASDEC
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2017