By Iftikhar Mashwani
ISLAMABAD:A significant stretch along the Indus River near Rahman Abad, district Attock located about 34 kilometers from Kalabagh and 17 kilometers from Shakardara in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has emerged as a hotspot for illegal gold extraction.
The gold area situated on the banks of the Indus River, is believed to be rich in valuable minerals, particularly gold. Flowing down from the northern regions, the river carries traces of gold and other minerals, which settle along bends in the river — making these ideal for extraction.
Local communities have historically used traditional methods to collect gold from the river. However, over the past 15 to 20 years, the scale of extraction has increased significantly, with heavy machinery now being used to mine gold in large quantities.
Reports indicate that foreign companies, including Chinese firms, have also been involved in these operations illegally.
Despite the scale of activity, the mining remains largely illegal, generating no official revenue for the government. Allegations suggest that certain local government officials and law enforcement personnel have facilitated or ignored these activities for personal gain, particularly in areas bordering Attock,Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the encatchment areas of Indus raver.
According to sources, over the past three years, thousands of cranes have been used to extract large amounts of gold, resulting in billions of rupees in profits for private individuals. This points to a highly organized operation rather than small-scale activity.
About a month and a half ago, authorities, with the support of the military, cleared the area of illegal operations. However, key questions remain about long-term policy and utilization of these natural resources for the benefit of the nation.
Experts believe that if managed transparently under government supervision and with modern technology, these mineral reserves could significantly benefit Pakistan’s economy.Properly regulated extraction could help reduce the country’s financial burden and external debt.
The issue also extends beyond Rahman Abad of district Attaock and KP bordoring areas. Reports suggest that illegal gold mining continues in regions such as Gilgit, Chilas, Nowshera, Nizam Pur, Khairpur, Jabi, and Kohat, causing the national exchequer to lose billions of rupees every month.
Analysts argue that Pakistan does not lack natural resources but suffers from poor governance, weak planning, and lack of transparency.
The gold reserves in these areas represent not just wealth, but a critical test of whether the country can effectively manage its resources for national development.
There is growing urgency for the government to implement a clear and transparent policy to regulate mining activities and ensure that such valuable resources contribute to economic growth — rather than being lost to illegal exploitation.
