PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP government has immediately banned all illegal gold mining along the banks of the Indus and Kabul rivers.
The ban, enacted through an emergency order (Section 144), will remain in effect for the next 60 days. It specifically targets the districts of Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat, and surrounding areas.
According to the government, people have been illegally digging up sand from the riverbanks to extract gold. The Home Department stated that this activity leads to water pollution, environmental damage, and could disturb the peace and security of the region.
Local police and district authorities have been ordered to stop all such activities. They are instructed to arrest anyone caught illegally prospecting for gold and to confiscate their equipment and machinery. Official sources say arrests will begin immediately.
A full-scale operation against the gold smugglers is now being launched.
