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PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has extended a ban on placer goldmining along the Indus and Kabul rivers in the territorial jurisdiction of Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat and Karak districts and adjoining areas for the next two months.
A notification by the home and tribal affairs department said that credible reports were received from the relevant department, district administrations and other agencies, coupled with the proceedings of the provincial cabinet’s meeting Aug 20, 2025, indicated and eminent likelihood of unauthorised attempts at placer gold excavation and extraction along the banks of River Indus and River Kabul, particularly in the districts of Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat and Karak adjoining areas.
It also said that the mineral development secretary had sought the extension of the ban imposed in December in the “best public interest”.
The department said such unauthorised and unregulated attempts, if allowed to occur, were reasonably apprehended to cause serious degradation of riverbanks, contamination of water resources through unsafe practices, destruction of local environment and landscape and pose a direct and substantial threat to public health and safety;
Officials vow not to spare ban violators
It said there existed a grave apprehension that these attempts may precipitate law and order issues, including but not limited to rivalries and conflicts among local groups, illegal transportation of material, smuggling of fuel for excavation machinery and other activities detrimental to peace, tranquility and public order;
The department said certain elements engaged in such unauthorised practices operated in an organised manner, having considerable financial resources and might resist enforcement efforts, endangering the safety of people and the personnel of the administration and police;
It said that the provincial cabinet had also directed the minerals department to spearhead a coordinated operation, duly assisted by the district administrations and the police with additional forces to be deployed where necessary, and invoke Section 144 of CrPC to pre-empt any breach of peace and ensure protection of local communities during the said operation.
“The home department, in exercise of powers under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1898, hereby extends a ban on all mining and extraction of placer gold activities along River Indus and River Kabul within the territorial jurisdiction of Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat and Karak districts and adjoining affected areas for 60 days from the date of its issuance.
“The district administrations and police are hereby authorised to take all lawful measures necessary for enforcement of this order. This includes, but is not limited to the seizure and confiscation of any machinery, vehicles, tools, equipment or material employed in violation hereof, in accordance with the law,” it said.
The department added that anyone found guilty of violating this order would be punishable under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860.
On Feb 16, Nowshera’s district administration carried out a large-scale joint operation against illegal placer gold mining in various areas to dismantle illegal mining infrastructure, confiscating illicit resources and restoring the state’s writ.
A statement issued here said that the operation involved 780 police personnel, 40 officials from the mines and minerals department and 68 officers of the district administration, including 45 technical experts hired from the market, to assist in specialised dismantling and enforcement tasks.
Heavy machinery and logistical support were deployed, including two excavators, four cranes, six pickup trucks, one jeep, two cutters and two generators.
During the operation, enforcement teams destroyed 53 illegal placer mining plants and dismantled four excavators being used for unlawful extraction activities. Also, 210 mining machines were voluntarily removed by miners prior to enforcement action.
The teams also destroyed five heavy-duty generators and three small generators, demolished six fixed illegal structures and destroyed two motorcycles found at mining sites.
A significant quantity of fuel used for illegal operations was recovered, with 9,500 litres of oil confiscated and 1,500 liters discarded on safety and environmental grounds. Also, 17 individuals were arrested during the operation and have been taken into custody for further legal proceedings under relevant mining and criminal laws.
According to the district administration, the targeted areas have been largely cleared of illegal mining activity. However, it has been observed that a number of excavators and heavy machines previously involved in illegal mining have been shifted by operators to nearby villages and concealed inside houses and hujras to evade enforcement.
It said it had decided to establish a permanent monitoring team to be stationed in the Jabbi area for continuous surveillance, intelligence gathering and rapid response to prevent the re-emergence of illegal placer gold mining.
The district administration said it was committed to maintaining strict enforcement against illegal mining, as such activities caused severe environmental degradation, loss of state revenue and public safety risks.
Officials said operations would continue on a sustained basis and that individuals or groups involved in illegal mining wouldn’t be spared.
Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2026
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