PESHAWAR, NOV 14 /DNA/ – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has announced the cancellation of gold mining leases and the immediate suspension of all mining activities across the province.

Addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Saturday, accompanied by the provincial adviser for mines and minerals, chief secretary and Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed, Kundi directed leaseholders and contractors to remove their heavy machinery from the relevant areas within a week.

He warned that there would be zero tolerance for individuals involved in illegal mining, adding that strict action would be taken against those found violating the restrictions.

His announcement comes just days after 10 policemen were martyred and 18 terrorists were killed in a gunfight during an operation against illegal gold mining in Kohat district of the province.

At the time, the police said that the operation was carried out by the KP police and the local civil administration against those involved in illegal gold mining at Darabo Kach, near Kohat.

During today’s presser, the KP governor said a major operation had been launched against illegal gold mining in the area, adding that militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij attacked police personnel as they were returning after the operation.

He alleged that the militants had links with individuals involved in illegal mining, claiming that mining operators paid them extortion money in exchange for protection.

“How long will we continue to make sacrifices? This will no longer be allowed,” he said, pledging zero tolerance towards those responsible for the terrorist act.

He also announced the formation of a task force named after martyred DSP Haidar Zaman, saying approval for its establishment had been granted.

‘Illegal mining’
Providing details of the alleged illegal mining activities, the KP governor said that Kohat had two mineral blocks, identified as C and D.

He said that 8,350 tractors, along with tractor-trolleys, 1,730 heavy dumpers and labourers, were being used in illegal mining operations.

According to Kundi, one mining block had been leased for Rs4.92 billion, while approximately 80% of the money generated was going to Afghanistan.

He further said that the money was being used to finance terrorism and activities against Pakistan.

The KP governor claimed that approximately 90 kilogrammes of gold were extracted from the area every month.

The illegal gold mining, he claimed, generated Rs4.2 billion worth of gold monthly, causing billions of rupees in losses to the national exchequer.

Kundi said a 10-year mining lease involving gold worth approximately Rs4.2 billion per month had been granted for just Rs4.92 billion.

The KP governor also alleged that 12 political figures had provided political backing in connection with the Kohat incident.

Among those he named were former provincial minister Aftab Alam, Shehryar Afridi, Khurram Zeeshan, Sajid Iqbal and Naveed, the brother of a former chief minister, among others.

Kundi clarified that no first information reports (FIRs) had been registered against the individuals he named.

He announced that a judicial commission would investigate illegal gold mining and the Kohat incident, saying action would be taken against anyone found involved.

Kundi said he was working with his team following the imposition of governor’s rule in the province, adding that maintaining peace was the government’s foremost priority.

“We will not allow anyone to plunder our resources,” he said, emphasising the need to protect the province’s mineral wealth.

Referring to the two-day Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 held in Islamabad this week, the KP governor said that delegations from across the world had participated in discussions on mines and minerals.

He said the provincial government intended to invite the international community to explore opportunities in the mining and minerals sector, adding that development, prosperity and employment opportunities for young people remained among its priorities.