Elders seek resumption of work on Kurram soapstone

PESHAWAR: Elders of Gandao area in Kurram Agency on Wednesday appealed to authorities to immediately start work on the central Kurram soapstone.

Speaking at a news conference here, Salam Khan, Sadiq, Noor Rehman, Wali Khan, Malik Daud, Gul Rehman and others recalled that they had signed an agreement with Sikandar Khan in 2005, whom the Mineral Department had awarded the lease till 2032.

Under this agreement, the leaseholders continued work for two years but they had to stop it due to militancy in the area. “Now the leaseholders want to resume work but one Asad, in connivance with others, allegedly created hurdles,” an elder said.

They said they tried to resolve the issue through jirgas, but to no avail. They appealed to the governor, corps commander, IG FC, additional chief secretary, secretary Fata, and political agent Kurram Agency to hold an investigation and solve their problem. They said the lease was still in the name of Sikandar Khan and that could be proved through government record.