Illegal Phosphate Mining Causes Loss of Over Rs840 Million to National Exchequer: NAB Report

PESHAWAR: Illegal phosphate mining in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has caused a loss of over Rs840 million to the national exchequer, according to an investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The inquiry revealed that illegal extraction of phosphate in the Kakol area of Abbottabad resulted in financial losses ranging between Rs740 million and Rs848 million. The report also highlighted severe damage to valuable forest resources in the region.

NAB sources said a complaint was initially filed by local residents against a resident of Kakol, Zar Gul Khan, alleging that he was illegally extracting phosphate from forest land and supplying it to various fertilizer manufacturing companies.

Following preliminary verification, the allegations were found to be credible, prompting NAB to launch a formal investigation.

The investigation further alleges that between 2010 and 2018, officials of the Minerals Department, in alleged collusion with private individuals, facilitated the illegal extraction of phosphate worth millions of rupees from forest areas.

Further investigations are underway.