PESHAWAR: Elders of the Bostikhel tribe from Darra Adamkhel on Friday demanded action against alleged illegal mining and coal extraction being carried out without proper registration in the area.
Speaking at a press conference, elders, including Malik Zar Muhammad, Malik Syed Asghar, Malik Asghar Khan, Malik Nazarullah, Malik Shah Nawaz, and Malik Zarbad Shah, said they had been visiting government offices in Kohat, including those of the deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner, for the past three years to seek redress, but had received no relief.
They alleged that a person with a shady past, allegedly backed by the administration, had taken control of coal resources and caused financial losses worth billions of rupees to the local community through various schemes.
The elders accused Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam of using administrative influence to forcibly resume coal loading operations after locals had halted them in protest. They said that this action escalated tensions in the area and alleged that their homes were attacked, though no legal action has been taken so far.
The elders alleged that the Kohat deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner of Darra Adamkhel made one-sided decisions without going through complete records. They stated that under an agreement, 60 percent of the coal revenue was to go to the local population, but only a small fraction had actually been distributed.
The elders demanded that the federal and provincial governments, as well as the judiciary and relevant institutions, conduct a comprehensive audit of coal revenue, take transparent action against those involved, and ensure the direct distribution of rightful shares to the people.
