PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has extended the ongoing ban on gold mining across several districts of the province for another 30 days.
According to an official notification issued by the Provincial Home Department, the extension has been made under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which empowers the government to prohibit certain activities in the interest of public safety and environmental protection.
The ban will continue to apply in Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat, and adjoining areas located along the banks of the Indus and Kabul rivers, where illegal and unregulated gold mining has reportedly been taking place for years.
Officials say the decision was made in response to increasing reports of unauthorized mining operations that have been damaging riverbeds, disrupting ecosystems, and posing safety risks to local communities. These unregulated activities, often carried out with crude tools or makeshift machinery, have also resulted in revenue losses for the provincial exchequer.
The KP Home Department emphasized that the temporary ban aims to provide authorities with time to assess the environmental impact of ongoing mining and to introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework for future operations.
Local administrations have been directed to strictly enforce the prohibition, monitor riverbank activity, and take immediate legal action against individuals or groups found violating the order.
A senior Home Department official said the government is considering issuing proper licenses and environmental permits once safety standards and sustainability guidelines are finalized. “The province’s natural resources must be protected and utilized responsibly,” the official stated, adding that environmental experts are currently conducting surveys to evaluate the extent of ecological damage caused by years of unregulated mining.
Environmental activists have welcomed the extension, calling it a much-needed step to safeguard natural habitats and prevent further soil erosion and water contamination in the affected regions. However, local miners have expressed concerns about the ban’s impact on their livelihoods, urging the government to introduce a balanced policy that protects both the environment and employment opportunities.
