Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday announced a ban on gold mining across the province and the revocation of all mining leases as part of measures to curb illegal mining.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar, Governor Kundi condemned the attack in Kohat that claimed the lives of 10 police personnel returning from an operation against illegal mining in the region.

He said an exemplary operation would be launched against those responsible for the attack, as well as their facilitators, as part of the government’s future strategy.

“There will be zero tolerance for those involved in this,” he said.

The governor also directed mining leaseholders to remove heavy machinery from the relevant areas within a week, warning that they would be held responsible for any losses incurred otherwise.

“After one week, the machinery, if not removed, will be seized,” Governor Kundi said, adding that the fines imposed this time would not be limited to Rs25,000 or Rs30,000, as had been the case under magistrates, but could reach Rs2 million under the law.

“We are also investigating why fines were not being imposed in accordance with the law,” he said.

The governor added that any politicians or individuals from other institutions found to be involved in illegal mining would be punished in accordance with the law.

More to follow