TIMES REPORT
PESHAWAR: The Frontier Mine Owners Association Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced a peaceful, democratic and non-political movement against prolonged restrictions on commercial explosives and what it described as administrative hurdles affecting the province’s mineral sector.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, Provincial President Uzair Khan Tanoli condemned the illegal use or diversion of commercial explosives and said the association dissociates itself from all unlawful activities.
He said, however, that prolonged suspension of explosives, delays in licences and alleged interference by district administrations had brought major parts of the mineral sector to a standstill, affecting businesses, workers, exporters and government revenues.
The association also expressed concern over the declaration of thousands of acres as “Guzara Forest”, claiming that hundreds of mining applications had been rejected on this basis without completion of the required legal process.
The association demanded immediate restoration of lawful access to commercial explosives under transparent SOPs, an end to interference in green-mining operations where explosives are not used, and a review of disputed “Guzara Forest” declarations.
It further demanded that district administrations refrain from independent action in mining areas without involvement and authorization of the competent Mines & Minerals Department authorities.
Announcing its future programme, the association said district-level protests would be held and political parties and elected representatives would be approached for support. If lawful green-mining operations continued to face closure, peaceful demonstrations would be held outside the offices of concerned deputy commissioners.
The association also announced a peaceful march towards Peshawar on September 15, 2026, with mining machinery and mineral trucks from across the province, followed by a sit-in until its demands are addressed.
Tanoli said the movement would remain peaceful, democratic and within the constitutional and legal framework, stressing that continued disruption of mining could negatively affect exports, investment, employment and government revenue.
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