Illegal extraction of placer gold worth millions of rupees continues along the Indus and Kabul rivers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa despite a provincial government ban, with official sources reporting that hundreds of heavy excavators are actively operating across riverbeds. According to official accounts, the underground trade involves roughly 1,500 excavators across multiple locations, generating hundreds of millions of rupees through weekly collections ranging from Rs500,000 to Rs700,000 per machine.
Armed Clashes and Fatalities Highlight Crisis in Kohat
The illegal mining crisis drew intense scrutiny following a deadly escalation in the Darbo Kach area of Kohat. According to official sources, an armed clash between rival groups fighting over gold mining territory left four people dead and four others injured. Police subsequently registered a case and launched raids in the district, maintaining that placer gold extraction remains strictly prohibited.
Scrutiny Over Auctions and Official Facilitation
The controversy extends beyond active riverbed dredging to the controversial auction of five placer gold blocks conducted roughly 18 months ago. Official sources note that the bidding process triggered intense scrutiny and caught the attention of the National Accountability Bureau. During subsequent proceedings, senior officials of the provincial Mines and Minerals Department were summoned to answer questions regarding the valuation of the deposits and the reserve prices set for the blocks. While the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government ordered an inquiry into the auction irregularities and suspended mining in disputed zones, illegal extraction persisted. Sources indicate that the extracted gold is funneled through informal channels, with suspicions pointing toward cross-border smuggling.
Environmental Degradation and Future Enforcement Prospects
Previous crackdowns, including a 60-day restriction imposed in Karak on September 22 following illegal placer mining along riverbeds such as Zarra Khel, underscore a persistent enforcement gap.