PESHAWAR: Special Assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister for Anti-Corruption Establishment Mossadeq Abbasi has said that the provincial government has auctioned four blocks along the Indus River in Nowshera district for gold extraction, which will generate Rs4 billion in revenues.

He said more blocks would be put up for auction soon, which is expected to generate several billions in revenue.

In a statement issued here, Mr Abbasi said that there were about 17 blocks to explore and extract gold from along the Indus River. “Three attempts were made to auction the mining of these blocks in the past, but the process could not get off the hook,” he said.

The CM’s aide said when the authorities looked into the matter, they found that the gold prospecting companies had reservations and the biggest reason was that a ‘mafia’ was interested in the gold mining.

Besides, he said that illegal machines were installed in the area and some foreigners were also involved in it.

He said that the companies feared that their investments would go to waste under these circumstances.

He said the Anti-Corruption Establishment conducted an operation in these areas with the help of the administrations and police of Nowshera and Kohat districts. “More than 200 machines were seized and an FIR was registered against the people involved,” he said.

Mr Abbasi said several companies participated in the bidding process. He promised full protection to the companies.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2024