Mine owners in KP urge lifting of explosives supply ban

Association leaders address media concerns

The Frontier Mine Owners Association held a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday. President Uzair Khan Tanoli and chairman Sherbandi Khan Marwat spoke to reporters about the current situation. They asked government officials to solve real sector problems rather than focusing on political criticism against the provincial minerals department.

Explosive restrictions halt many projects

Supply limits on explosives over the last three months have made around 4,000 mining projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inoperative. This shortage has left nearly 300,000 mineworkers without jobs and disrupted operations at approximately 2,000 mineral processing units. The association also noted that hundreds of transport vehicles used for the industry are currently unable to function properly.

Officials face past political scrutiny

Tanoli stated that the minerals department has faced politically motivated criticism and hundreds of inquiries over the past two decades. He claimed that many National Accountability Bureau cases against the department were eventually found to be unfounded. The leaders argued that raising unsubstantiated allegations diverts attention from the fundamental issues facing the mineral sector.