Mining activities to resume in Chitral
CHITRAL: In a positive development for the local economy, mining activities in Chitral are set to resume soon, as the District Intelligence Coordination Committee (DICC) has resolved issues regarding the issuance of no-objection certificates and mineral transportation. Speaking to reporters at the press club after a meeting with the Lower Chitral deputy commissioner, Chitral Mine Owners…
Chitral's local economy is poised for a positive boost as mining activities in the region are set to resume imminently, according to the District Intelligence Coordination Committee (DICC). The resumption of mining operations comes after the DICC resolved critical issues that had been delaying the issuance of no-objection certificates and the transportation of minerals.
Speaking to reporters at the press club following a meeting with the Lower Chitral deputy commissioner, Ashfaq Ali Khan, president of the Chitral Mine Owners Association, revealed that the deputy commissioner had instructed the police to streamline the verification process for laborers. Khan explained that the police would now utilize a specialized proforma to gather laborer details and submit them directly to the deputy commissioner's office, thereby eliminating prolonged delays and ensuring prompt security clearance.
To obtain a working no-objection certificate (NOC) in settled areas, mine owners must now submit a streamlined set of documents to the deputy commissioner's office. These include a valid prospecting license or lease work order, an affidavit from the license or leaseholder, and the leaseholder's family tree for all laborers. The affidavit also requires an assurance from the license or leaseholder that they and their laborers will not engage in any anti-state activities. Mine owners can commence operations immediately upon submitting the necessary documents.
The DICC has also removed significant bottlenecks in mineral transportation. Under the new mechanism, transporters need only submit a copy of the consignment proforma to the deputy commissioner's office and another copy to the Lowari Tunnel checkpoint. Khan expressed gratitude to the deputy commissioner, DICC members, and heads of relevant institutions for addressing the community's concerns.
He emphasized that the resumption of mining activities would benefit thousands of families dependent on the mineral sector, both directly and indirectly.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
