Karachi: Sindh Chief Secretary Syed Asif Hyder Shah has directed immediate and stringent measures to curb illegal sand and gravel mining operations across the province.
The decision was announced during a high-level meeting chaired by the chief secretary, attended by Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi, Additional IG Karachi Javed Alam Odho, Mines and Minerals Secretary Tahir Hussain Sangi, Malir Deputy Commissioner Irfan Salam, Malir SSP Kashif Abbasi, and other senior officials.
The chief secretary emphasized a zero-tolerance approach toward individuals involved in illegal mining and instructed the Malir Deputy Commissioner and SSP to take decisive action. Shah highlighted the urgency of addressing this issue to safeguard Sindh’s natural resources and enforce legal compliance.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the Sindh Mines and Minerals Governance Act 2021 and its provisions. Notably, Section 27 of the Act, which initially categorized illegal mining as a non-cognisable offense, was amended on November 14, 2023, making it a cognisable offense. This change grants authorities the power to take immediate legal action against violators.
To expedite the legal process, the chief secretary called for the establishment of special courts dedicated to handling mining-related cases. The Sindh Law Department has already approached the Sindh High Court registrar to facilitate this initiative.
The chief secretary also stressed the need to operationalize the proposed mines and minerals force outlined in the governance act. This force will be tasked with monitoring and enforcing compliance in mining operations across the province.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to ensure swift and effective measures to counter illegal mining and protect Sindh’s resources.
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