The Chitral Mines and Minerals Association has urged the government to remove the requirement for a no-objection certificate (NOC) for mining in border areas of the district. They also requested an increase in the daily allocation of explosives from five to 25 kilograms to sustain mining activities.
The association argues that security concerns cited by the government are unfounded, as Chinese companies operate across the border in Afghanistan without issues. The government’s role in facilitating mining through digital management and infrastructure is crucial for job creation and revenue generation, as current restrictions limit mining to only a few sites despite numerous licenses being issued.