MOHMAND: Marble mine owners and workers staged a demonstration in Ghalanai on Friday against the suspension of L-4 explosives licences, urging the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to restore the permits and resume mining activities immediately.

Mohmand Mining Development Association organised the protest outside the press club, followed by a rally from the Ghalanai Bypass.

Carrying banners and placards, the protesters demanded the restoration of explosives licences, describing the suspension as a serious blow to the mining industry and the livelihoods of thousands of families.

Mohmand Mining Development Association general secretary Taufiq, PTI leader Rahim Shah, Petroleum Association president Hazrat Shah Safi, Transport Association president Qari Arifullah, Frontier Mines Association senior vice-president Asghar Khan Afridi, All Pakistan Frontier Mines Association senior vice-chairman and provincial chairman Sher Bandi Khan Marwat, Mohmand Minerals president Jan Sher and Mohmand Welfare Organisation president Mira Fazal Mohmand addressed the protesters.

The speakers said the suspension of explosives licences had halted mining operations, marble processing and related activities across the district. They claimed that nearly 200,000 workers, transporters and others directly or indirectly linked to the sector had lost their source of income.

They argued that the mining industry was the economic backbone of Mohmand and other merged districts, where employment opportunities were already limited.

According to the speakers, any prolonged suspension of mining activities would have far-reaching consequences for the local economy.

The protesters urged the government to review its policy and introduce a practical regulatory framework that addressed security concerns without paralysing legitimate mining operations.

They maintained that if restrictions were imposed in the interest of security, affected workers and businesses should also be provided with viable alternative livelihood opportunities.

They urged the authorities to engage with industry representatives and resolve the issue through dialogue.

Meanwhile, the district administration has imposed a ban on the sale, purchase, transportation, possession and use of urea fertiliser across Mohmand under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, citing security concerns.

Deputy Commissioner Bilal Shahid Rao issued a notification, stating that credible intelligence reports indicated that urea fertiliser could be used in the preparation of improvised explosive devices and other unlawful activities.

It warned that the unrestricted sale, purchase, transportation, possession and use of the fertiliser could pose a serious threat to public safety.

The notification said the restrictions took effect from July 28 and will remain in force for 30 days.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2026