PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mine Owners Association President Mohyuddin Sani on Tuesday demanded an immediate halt to the granting of mining leases in Chitral to allegedly blacklisted and controversial companies.
Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, he said residents and investors had the first right over Chitral’s mineral resources and no company facing serious investigations or cases should be granted a lease without legal and financial scrutiny.
Mohyuddin Sani alleged that a mining lease was being granted to Tony Pak despite the company having outstanding government dues of $945,000. He said fines had been imposed on the company between 2014 and 2026 under DG Mines rules, but had yet to be paid.
Mohyuddin Sani claimed that the association had serious reservations about a company and alleged that investigations and government action had been initiated against it over illegal mining, smuggling of minerals to China and promotion of such activities.
He referred to allegations involving 1,500 tonnes of antimony and said the issue of outstanding dues payable to the provincial government was still unresolved.Mohyuddin Sani alleged that cases against the company referred by NAB to the Anti-Corruption Department were closed without legal justification. He urged the chief minister to order an inquiry against the DG Mines, secretary Mines and DG Anti-Corruption.
Mohyuddin Sani said SIFC was an important forum for promoting investment but argued that companies facing serious cases and outstanding dues should not be given preference.He questioned SIFC’s repeated correspondence with provincial departments about mining matters, saying mines were a provincial subject.
The association president alleged that the name of a Pakistani entity was being used in connection with the creation of new mineral blocks in Chitral.He said large areas had been included in new blocks while applications submitted by residents were cancelled without explanation.
Mohyuddin Sani called for a high-level inquiry committee comprising representatives of the Mine Owners Association, Mines Department, Anti-Corruption Department, Forest Department, Finance Department and other relevant institutions to investigate mining leases, mineral blocks and local applications in Chitral.
