The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced a province-wide ban on illegal mining, including a 60-day prohibition on gold exploration along the banks of the Indus and Kabul rivers, ARY News reported.
According to an official notification issued by the Home Department, the restriction—enforced under Section 144—specifically targets “spacer of gold” activities. The move aims to address environmental concerns and maintain law and order in affected regions, including Swat, Nowshera, Kohat, and surrounding areas. Authorities have warned that violators will face legal action under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
This development follows the provincial government’s earlier decision to immediately ban sand and gravel mining in the Swat River after a devastating flash flood swept away 17 tourists. Rescue teams managed to recover 11 bodies and save three individuals, while search operations continue for the remaining victims.
Provincial Minister for Livestock, Fazal Hakim Khan Yousafzai, confirmed the ban on riverbed mining and announced a large-scale anti-encroachment operation against illegal structures along the riverbanks. He added that an independent inquiry into the Swat tragedy is ongoing, with four officials already suspended and more disciplinary actions expected.
Amid rising public demand for accountability, the KP government has also announced financial compensation of Rs1 million for each family of the deceased. A committee, led by the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team, has been formed to investigate the incident and determine responsibility for the tragedy.
