GILGIT, Sept 29: Gilgit-Baltistan mineral association on Sunday demanded lifting of ban on mining and transfer of the management of the mineral department.
The association’s chairman Mohammad Ali Zarin told a press conference here that top officials of the mineral department were main hindrance in development of the sector.
He threatened to boycott the upcoming international silk route festival if their demands were not met.
Mr Zarin was flanked by other office-bearers of the association.
He said the Central Board of Revenue and National Trade Policy didn’t oppose movement of precious stones inside the country, but the local mineral department was opposed to it.
“Instead of extending support to traders associated with the mineral sector the authorities are pushing them against the wall,” he said.
Mr Zarin said over 900 traders were being victimised by mineral department management, destroying them financially.
“There is no ban on mining throughout the country thus, the same should be lifted in Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said.
The other office bearers of the association asked why only the GB region was chosen for ban on mining. They accused the management of the department of striking deal with international organisations at the cost of local miners.
Officials at the mineral department could not be contacted for their viewpoint on the issue.http://dawn.com/news/1046468/call-for-lifting-ban-on-mining-in-gb
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