Sindh Mines & Mineral Development Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah has taken serious notice of complaints regarding the alleged involvement of departmental officials in illegal mining activities and the unlawful transportation of minerals across the province.
Acting on the complaints received and the preliminary findings of an inquiry, Shah directed two officials to report immediately to the department’s secretariat. Departmental proceedings have also been initiated against a deputy director and an assistant allegedly linked to the reported violations.
According to an official statement, further departmental action would be taken on the basis of complaints and the outcome of the ongoing inquiry. Shah said that illegal mining and violations of the established rules and regulations would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He emphasised that indiscriminate action would be taken against all the individuals involved in the unlawful extraction and transportation of minerals.
He further directed departmental officers to work in coordination with the local police in their respective areas to take effective action against the illegal transportation of any type of minerals.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law in the mining sector, the minister said that strict measures would continue to be implemented to curb illegal mining and protect the province’s natural resources.
