PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Mines and Minerals Arif Ahmadzai on Wednesday directed the authorities to make the mining lease process, particularly in the merged districts, fully online and transparent to attract investment and curb corruption. The directives were issued during a meeting with a delegation of the Frontier Mine Owners Association, which discussed measures to improve the province’s mining sector, a handout said. Secretary Minerals Dr Muhammad Israr, Director General Minerals and other departmental officials also attended the meeting. The delegation highlighted issues relating to surface rent, cooperation with district administrations, attracting foreign investment, excise duty, annual lease rents, coordination with the Forest Department on mining maps, illegal mining, proposed amendments to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mining Act, 2017, and granting industrial status to the mineral sector. Mr Ahmadzai directed the department to digitise and streamline the leasing process to ensure transparency and facilitate investors. He also called for intensifying the crackdown on illegal mining, saying negligence and unlawful activities in the sector would not be tolerated. The minister stressed that the welfare of local communities and environmental protection must remain a priority in mineral-producing areas. DLP Report
