Hussain Zarkoon:
Dukki – October 19, 2024: Around 40,000 coal miners have left Dukki following the recent killing of 21 miners and the deteriorating law and order situation in the area, according to the Mines Labour Association.
The exodus includes workers from across Pakistan and Afghanistan, dealing a significant blow to the area’s coal industry, which supplies 250 trucks of coal daily to Punjab.
Dukki is known for its rich coal reserves, but recent unrest has forced miners to abandon their jobs, fearing for their safety.
“We live in constant fear of losing our lives. No one is safe here anymore,” said Akhtar Muhammad, a young coal miner from the region.
Another miner, Abdullah, echoed the concerns: “The insecurity is unbearable. We risk our lives every day just to earn a living.”
The Mines Labour Association also criticized the government’s failure to provide compensation to the families of the slain miners, describing it as a grave injustice.
The lack of security and inadequate response from authorities has left many miners feeling abandoned, further fueling the crisis in one of Pakistan’s major coal-producing regions.
