Dubai: Could illegal gold mining be helping finance terrorism in Pakistan? That question has taken centre stage after the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa alleged that billions of rupees generated from gold extraction were being channelled into militant activities.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi claimed that around 90 kilos of gold, worth Rs4.2 billion, was being extracted every month in the province's Kohat district, with approximately 80 per cent of the proceeds going to Afghanistan.
The allegations, which have not been independently verified, emerged days after a deadly confrontation during an operation against illegal gold mining left 10 policemen and 18 militants dead.
Kundi announced on Saturday that all mining activities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be suspended and gold mining leases cancelled, Geo News reported.
Leaseholders and contractors have been ordered to remove heavy machinery from mining areas within seven days.
How is gold mining allegedly linked to militancy?
According to the governor, illegal mining operators have been paying protection money to militant groups in exchange for being allowed to continue their activities.
He alleged that the money was subsequently used to finance terrorism and other activities against Pakistan.
Kundi said thousands of tractors, heavy dumpers and labourers were involved in illegal extraction operations.
He also questioned how a 10-year mining lease had been granted for Rs4.92 billion when the gold allegedly…
