Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party Strongly Condemns Ban on Dynamite for Chromite Mining in Muslim Bagh, Thousands of Workers Rendered Jobless

Quetta (Daily Qudrat) — In a press release issued from the provincial secretariat of Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP), the ban on blasting dynamite for chromite mining in Muslim Bagh Tehsil and other surrounding areas has been strongly condemned, and the government and Mines & Minerals Department have been demanded to take immediate practical steps to resolve the issue and ensure the supply of dynamite for mining in accordance with legal procedures.

The statement said that chromite mining in Muslim Bagh and surrounding areas is the primary source of livelihood for the local economy and thousands of workers. Blasting with dynamite is indispensable for extracting chromite from hard rocks in these areas, but due to the suspension of dynamite supply, thousands of mines have been shut down, severely affecting the employment of mine workers, truck drivers, transporters, chrome processing plants, and others associated with mining.

The statement further said that due to the suspension of mining activities, not only have thousands of workers become unemployed, but business activities in Muslim Bagh, Nisai, and adjoining areas have also been severely affected. Hotels, shops, transport, and other businesses have come to a standstill, causing severe economic hardships for the local population. In addition to those associated with mining, a large number of small traders and laborers in these areas are also being affected by this situation.

The press release said that creating obstacles in the supply of dynamite for chromite mining has endangered the economic future of thousands of families. Although the use of explosives in mining should be under relevant laws and safety regulations, not providing dynamite to mine owners and contractors who fulfill legal requirements in accordance with the prescribed procedure is a serious issue that requires an immediate solution.

Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party has demanded the government and Mines & Minerals Department to immediately remove obstacles regarding the supply of dynamite, restore the supply of dynamite to mine owners fulfilling legal requirements under necessary permits and safety regulations, and take effective measures to restart mining activities, so that thousands of workers can get employment, local businesses can be restored, and the economic difficulties faced by the people of Muslim Bagh, Qila Saifullah, Nisai, and surrounding areas can be eliminated.