Elders from four different tribes of Ghando area of central Kurram Agency have warned the government for launching of protest against the prolonged suspension of work on mining lease in the region. Speaking at a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, one tribal elder, Islam Jan said that lease of soapstone quarry was awarded to a private contractor Sikandar Khan in 2004. But, he said the exploration work had stopped forcibly by some influential people on mining lease since 2007, due to which millions of rupees losses to the tribes.
As per contract, he informed the provincial mining department had awarded lease to the contractor till 2032. He attributed that the exploration work was also delayed due to fragile security situation in central Kuram Agency. Now, he said the lease holders have desired to resume work on mining leases, but some influential people including Asad along with tribesmen Hukam Khan, Mohammad Yousaf, Ali Marjan, Sakhi Marjan, Haji Sultan, Saderaan and others, were creating hurdle in resumption of work on mining lease and they were demanding bribe from the contractor.
He added they were allegedly demanding Rs 150,000 per day as bribe for resumption of work on mining lease. The tribal elder asked the government to take action against the people who were allegedly blocking exploration work on mining lease in the region and demanding the recommencement of work on the mineral deposits of the tribes immediately.
Flanked by Haji Siddique, Haji Noor Rehman, Haji Wali Jan, Malik Daud, Mera Khan, Haji Gul Rehman, Haji Munir and a large number of elders of four tribes, Islam Jan said the mining lease deposits are being owned by four tribes, including Honikhel, Bara Chamkani, Lesyani, and Hoojuk of Ghando area of Central Kurram Agency.
He said that the soapstone quarry share has equally divided among people, including orphans, widows, and poor people of the aforementioned four tribes. However, he said they were deprived from their legitimate rights due to monopoly of some influential people in the area. He alleged the supporters of Asad along with some people had created disturbance during a Jirga between tribal elders, political administration and the agency tehsildar on this issue.
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