PESHAWAR: Alleged irregularities worth billions of rupees in revealed in gold mining contracts awarded during the PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to an official report, four placer gold blocks along Indus River and Kabul River were auctioned for about 4.93 billion rupees. The contracts include Block A of the Indus River worth 1.25 billion rupees awarded to Globa Core Private Limited, Block B worth 1.26 billion rupees to Majco Private Limited, Block C worth 1.30 billion rupees to Himalaya Earth Private Limited, and Block D worth 1.11 billion rupees to Shakardara Minerals Private Limited.
NAB has raised serious objections that reserve prices were fixed without proper assessment of gold reserves and the 2015 geological study was ignored. Violations of the Mineral Auction Rules 2022 were found, and geological mapping started in February 2022 was stopped in November 2023.
Allotment letters were issued even though agreements were not completed within the mandatory 14-day period. It was also revealed that mining continued in November 2024 despite a stay order of the Peshawar High Court.
Mining was carried out without environmental approval and without a mining plan. More than 1500 excavators were allegedly operating illegally, and leaseholders were charging 5 to 7 lakh rupees per excavator per week.
Through unauthorized sub-leasing, weekly income of more than 75 crore to 1 billion rupees was estimated, but complete records of gold production and sale were not provided.
NAB has sought records from the KP Minerals Department, while the role of concerned authorities during PTI tenure is under question. Former Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur defended the auctions, saying higher prices were obtained and legal requirements were fulfilled.
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