PKMAP Condemns DC Harnai’s Order, Alleges Mine Owners Forced to Pay Extortion to FC and BLA

Quetta (Daily Qudrat) — The Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), in a provincial press release, strongly condemned the recent order issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Harnai district, which directs mine owners, contractors, and sub-contractors to take full responsibility for the security of their mines and labor. The party termed the directive a clear violation of the Constitution, existing laws, and the Mines and Minerals Act.

According to the statement, coal mine owners in Harnai already pay the officially designated royalty determined by the Mines Department. However, for the past 8–9 years, the Frontier Corps (FC) has allegedly imposed an additional royalty in the name of providing security — a payment that mine owners, contractors, and petty contractors have been making regularly. Despite these payments, PKMAP claims that law and order did not improve, and mine owners continued to demand protection from FC.

The party further alleged that on FC’s instructions, mine owners were also compelled to pay extortion money to the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), with some payments reportedly deposited into bank accounts on Quetta’s Jinnah Road. PKMAP stated that even after the authorities became aware of the bank accounts and phone numbers involved, no action was taken to stop these illegal collections.

The statement noted that currently the Mines Department collects its royalty, FC takes its own share, and the BLA also receives extortion — creating a situation of continued pressure on mine owners. In such circumstances, the DC’s latest order, which shifts security responsibility onto mine owners and contractors, amounts to promoting lawlessness and pushing them toward private, unauthorized security arrangements, the party said.

PKMAP emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Mines and Minerals Department to ensure that the district administration provides full security to the Harnai coal mining area. The party demanded that the DC withdraw the controversial order to prevent further chaos and lawlessness. It also called for an end to all covert extortion by FC and BLA and urged the restoration of complete rule of law in Harnai district.