Web desk: In Khanda Kho Abbottabad, illegal mining has provided major complications in the society. Soapstone or white gold continues to be dug out on a large scale, with inadequate safety precautions and without government supervision.
Private TV anchorperson Mian Imran Irshad has revealed in his program that precious stones, known as “white gold” and considered more valuable than the Koh-i-Noor, are being openly smuggled from the mountains of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Soapstone from Pakistan is exported worldwide and is used in cosmetics, paper manufacturing, and talcum powder. Despite its high value, locals say they gain nothing from the trade. Instead, they face damaged land, unsafe living conditions, and the loss of natural water sources.
According to the anchor, mining leases are being operated in violation of legal requirements, with local contractors running the sites unchecked.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ‘white gold’ smuggling
Shockingly, no representative of the Mines and Minerals Department is present on-site to verify how much mineral is being extracted.
During the program, a local resident alleged that these contractors avoid banking channels and taxes by burying their earnings in land rather than depositing them in financial institutions.
Residents told reporters that once, fresh mineral water flowed through the area and gathered in natural ponds. People and animals relied on it.
Now, blasting in the mountains has dried water channels, destroyed trees, and caused frequent landslides. Villagers complain that the explosions are so strong that families wake up in fear at night. Trucks and machinery continue to remove minerals unchecked.
Local landowners claim contractors often shift mining mouths to other areas, leaving owners without compensation. They claim that the authorities of the Mines and Minerals Department are not present at work, and the contractors can understate the output and conceal income.
The working environment is also hazardous, and there is a lack of security and protective gear. Residents say the government and departments have failed to regulate the industry, while ordinary people are left with destruction and poverty.
Imran Irshad also questioned whether Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur is involved in the smuggling of these rare stones. “If he is not involved, then why has no action been taken against those responsible?” he asked.
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