Khyber Pakhtunkhwa suspends gold mining operations after Kohat security incident

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KP suspends gold mining after Kohat incident

Highlights

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa immediately suspended all gold mining after the Kohat security incident, with a special task force to draft new regulations within three weeks.
Authorities allege illegal mining in Kohat extracts about 90kg of gold monthly worth Rs4.29 billion, with proceeds supporting terrorism and being transferred to Afghanistan.
A judicial commission led by a retired Peshawar High Court judge will investigate illegal mining networks, with formal cases against 12 suspected political figures pending investigation results.

Ban, inquiry and enforcement plan

As reported by Pakistan Business Recorder, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi announced at the Governor's House on Saturday that all gold mining activity in the province is suspended with immediate effect after the Kohat incident.

He said no individual or company would be allowed to continue gold mining following the order, and warned that machinery used in violation of the ban would be confiscated. The governor said a special task force named after martyred DSP Haider Zaman is being set up with personnel from multiple departments and institutions to prepare a permanent regulatory mechanism for mining activities within three weeks.

Kundi also announced a judicial commission to be headed by a retired former judge of the Peshawar High Court to investigate illegal mining and identify those allegedly providing patronage to the activity. He said the commission would review all aspects of the alleged network and that accountability would proceed without political victimisation.

Security and governance implications for the province

Linking the crackdown to security concerns, Kundi said 10 security personnel were martyred in an attack by Fitna-al-Khawarij after an operation against illegal gold mining, while 18 militants were killed during the operation. He said the government is determined to restore peace, protect public safety and stop the exploitation of the province's natural resources.

The governor alleged that illegal mining worth Rs4.29 billion is taking place in Kohat, with about 90 kilograms of gold being extracted unlawfully each month. He further claimed the proceeds are being transferred to Afghanistan and used for anti-Pakistan activity and terrorism, and said a youth committee had been formed to facilitate illegal mining and collect extortion money.

Kundi said 12 political figures are among those suspected of patronising illegal mining, though he added that none has yet been named in a first information report and that formal cases would follow the completion of the investigation. He also alleged involvement by members of a militant group from Afghanistan's Nangarhar province and accused the previous provincial government of allowing illegal mining to continue under a patronage network.

On broader governance, Kundi said administrative measures are being taken after the imposition of emergency in the province and that the government is working to address past injustices and improve the governance system. Referring to the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2026 in Islamabad, he said the province would seek the best possible agreements while defending its rights and interests and introducing stronger accountability over public resources.

This adds to earlier discussion around Pakistan gold prices, which fell as domestic rates tracked a drop in global bullion.

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