Peshawar: The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has extended the previously imposed ban on all activities related to illegal gold mining and extraction along the banks of the Indus and Kabul Rivers in the districts of Swabi, Nowshera, Kohat, and adjoining areas.

According to an official handout, the ban-imposed under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code-takes immediate effect and will remain in force for 30 days. Violators will be prosecuted under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The step has been taken in view of concerns regarding environmental degradation, contamination of water resources, and threats to public safety caused by unauthorized mining practices.