The Cabinet Committee of the Punjab government reviewed the mining minerals rates lying in Sarghodha, Chakwal, Jhang, Chiniot and Attock and set new rates here on Thursday. The new rates have not yet been notified. Punjab Minister for Mines and Minerals Chaudhary Sher Ali Khan presided over the cabinet committee meeting held in connection with issuance of new leases and fixation of fresh rates.
The meeting was attended by Director General Mines and Minerals Mian Abrar Ahmed, Additional Secretary Mines and Minerals Maryam Kiani and other officers of the department. Director Licensing Zafar Javed Malghani briefed the participants of meeting about the old and reserved rates of leases.
The minister stressed upon the need to rationalize those rates of leases which are not competitive to the open market. The Punjab province is very rich in mines and minerals and each district has some distinctive wealth in its geological structures and topography. He said these minerals are national assets therefore, dishonesty or any kind of irregularity in its use cannot be spared at any cost.