LASHKARGAH (SW): Rampant and illegal shipment of marble stones continues from southern Helmand province to Pakistan despite numerous calls to curb this illegal trade.
Among various other minerals, Helmand has vast reserves of various precious marble stones. Lately, due to raging conflict, this wealth has not been utilized properly at the local level instead it is often sneaked illegally into neighboring Pakistan at lower prices.
Mirza Khan Rahimi, governor Helmand confirms it,
In an exclusive interview with the SW, he expressed his concern regarding illegal mining and said that illegal mining and extraction of marble stones was currently taking place in the Khanshin district. He said powerful figures were behind this illegal operation and the government was facing limitations in stopping them.
Helmand governor vowed to expedite contracting process for legitimate mining firms with reputed backgrounds in a bid to curb the illegal excavation.
Mohammad Lal Kargar, owner of a local marble industry told SW that some fifty tons of marble stones are extracted annually from the mines in Khanshin and smuggled to Pakistan. Declining demand in the local market has termed as one of the reasons behind it.
ENDS
