Proposed ‘changes’ to KP mineral policy opposed

CHITRAL: Mines and Minerals Association, Chitral, president Shahzada Muddasirul Mulk on Wednesday criticised the proposed changes to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mineral Policy 2025 and termed them detrimental to transparency, investment and fairness in the mining sector.

Speaking to the reporters, he expressed serious concerns about the Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s video statement regarding the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mineral Policy 2025 and inclusion of more departmental officers in the lease approval process.

“Adding more officers from unrelated departments opens the door to corruption,” he said, adding, “Every additional official can use the authority to blackmail leaseholders, making the system even more complex and non-transparent.”

Muddasirul Mulk questioned the rationale behind involving more departments when eight government entities, including Forests, Wildlife, Environment, and Law, were already part of the Mineral Titles Committee (MTC). “This will only increase red-tape and favouritism, allowing influential individuals to manipulate the process,” he warned.

He also questioned the government’s decision to reduce the duration of mining leases. “On one hand, the chief minister acknowledges that mining investment takes time, and on the other hand, lease durations are being shortened - this contradiction is alarming,” he stated.

The Mines and Minerals Association, Chitral, president said that mining in high-altitude regions like Chitral required significant time and investment just to build roads and develop mines.He further noted that the Mineral Department already has the authority to cancel inactive leases within a year, questioning the need for reducing lease terms even further.