SHANGLA: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Eng Amir Muqam on Wednesday said an FIR had been registered into the Quetta coal mine accident and those responsible would be proceeded against in accordance with the law.

He was speaking at a ceremony held in Alpuri to distribute cheques among the families of workers who were killed in the Quetta coal mine explosion recently.

Mr Muqam directed officials of relevant departments to resolve the issues faced by the families, saying that more cheques would be provided soon.

The minister said the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis would establish an office of the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) in Shangla to facilitate mineworkers.

He called upon the representatives of all four provinces and mineworkers to sit together to improve safety in coal mines.

Mr Muqam said an inquiry committee had also been constituted to investigate the Quetta mine accident.

The Workers Welfare Fund, he added, would bear the educational expenses of children of workers killed in such accidents.

The minister urged the provincial government to take steps to support the affected families. He said children of Shangla would be provided skills training.

Mr Muqam thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for approving the establishment of a Danish school in Shangla, saying children would receive free education there.

The minister said he had always played his role in the development of Shangla, including the establishment of three grid stations and construction of roads in various tehsils, including Bisham Road.

Meanwhile, the district administration also distributed compensation cheques among families of 33 coal miners the other day.

Deputy commissioner Mohammad Abdullah Shah distributed the cheques during a ceremony in Alpuri.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2026