Meeting discusses measures to stop illegal placer gold mining in Nowshera District

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2026) A high-level meeting chaired by Commissioner Peshawar Division Riaz Khan Mehsud here on Thursday discussed measures and formulated a strategy to address the growing issue of illegal placer gold mining in Nowshera district.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from relevant departments, including Additional Secretary of Mines and Minerals, the Deputy Commissioner of Nowshera, the Regional Police Officer Mardan, Rab Nawaz Khan, Director Mines and Minerals Hayat ur Rehman, District Police Officer (DPO) Nowshera Ahmad Shah, Assistant Director Minerals Nowshera Junaid Khan and other concerned officers.

During the meeting, participants held detailed discussions on developing an effective and long-term strategy to eliminate illegal placer gold mining activities in Nowshera.

The commissioner directed all relevant departments to take immediate and strict action to completely eradicate unlawful mining operations. It was decided that permanent check posts would be established in affected areas to ensure effective monitoring and control of illegal mining activities.

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DPO Nowshera was instructed to set up permanent checkpoints with the deployment of 20 to 25 personnel at each location. Additionally, CCTV cameras will be installed to strengthen surveillance and improve transparency in monitoring operations.

It was reported that certain local landowners are allegedly involved in illegal mining activities in collaboration with external investors, creating complications in enforcement efforts. However, authorities have so far confiscated approximately 50,000 to 80,000 liters of petrol and diesel being used in these illegal operations.

Commissioner Peshawar Division directed the Mines Department to immediately formulate a comprehensive policy and robust strategy to ensure the protection, transparent utilization and safeguarding of government interests related to valuable natural resources such as placer gold.