GB Illegal Mining Crackdown: CM Orders Arrests, Approves Key Reforms

GB – (Choudhry Muddasar ) – The GB illegal mining crackdown has officially begun. Chief Minister Amjad Hussain has ordered police and mineral authorities to take strict action against anyone involved in unlawful mining across Gilgit-Baltistan. He made this clear during the first meeting of his provincial cabinet.

The Chief Minister called the region’s mineral wealth a national treasure. He said no one would be allowed to exploit it illegally, no matter who they are. His message was simple and firm: break the law, face the consequences.

To back this up, he directed the Inspector General of Police and the Secretary for Minerals to arrest those running illegal mining operations. Machinery and equipment used in unlawful extraction will also be seized. The Inspector General has promised full police support to make this happen smoothly.

The Chief Minister also asked officials to review all dormant mining leases and licences. Wherever rules are being broken, legal action will follow. He wants stronger coordination between police and the Minerals Department so illegal activity can be caught early, not after the damage is done.

But mining wasn’t the only topic on the table. The cabinet also approved key bills, including the Public-Private Partnership Bill and changes to the Local Government Election Act. These changes will let independent candidates take part in upcoming local elections.

Investment is another priority for the government. Officials plan to open doors for private investment in energy, minerals, and tourism. The PPP Unit is expected to become fully functional later this year, giving these plans real momentum.

A major highlight of the cabinet meeting was the Rs16 billion Climate Resilience Project. This initiative, backed by development partners, will bring clean drinking water, better sewerage systems, and disaster-resistant homes to flood-hit families. The Chief Minister insisted that the project be handled with full transparency and that its director be chosen purely on merit.

Overall, the message from this cabinet meeting was clear. Gilgit-Baltistan’s government wants growth, but not at the cost of fairness or the environment. Illegal mining will be stopped. Development will continue. And local voices, through elections and reforms, will have a bigger say in how the region moves forward.

For residents, this could mean real change. Less illegal digging means better-protected natural resources. More transparency in big projects means public money is less likely to be wasted. And local elections with independent candidates could reshape how communities are represented.

The coming months will show how serious this crackdown really is. But for now, the tone from the top is firm: rules will be enforced, and no one is above them.