Editorial:
Shocking incidents inside the coal mines of Balochistan are almost the order of the day. Worst poverty and unemployment force people to put their lives at peril while extracting coal from mines in Balochistan. At the cost of living, poverty-hit people from Shangla, Swat areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Toba Kakari area of Pishin, and people from southern Afghanistan work in killer coal mines of Balochistan.
At least six coal miners were killed after the mine was filled with methane gas in the Shahrag area of the Harnai district a few days ago. Rescue workers and fellow miners made hectic efforts to save their lives. But, they failed to do so. The officials merely issued condolence statements with no promise of taking action against the responsible people.
Sadly, such incidents make no headlines in the newspapers and tv channels
No action has been taken against the mine owner, contractor, and concerned people. The government has also not announced any compensation for the heirs of the victims. Sadly, such incidents make no headlines in the newspapers and tv channels. This is also one of the underlying reasons behind rampant incidents inside mines in Balochistan.
Hazardous working conditions have claimed thousands of precious human lives in Dukki, Quetta, Sorange, Marwar, Chamalang, Bolan, Mach, and Harnai areas of Balochistan. Despite repeated appeals on behalf of human rights organizations and labor unions, the Balochistan government has not ensured improved safety conditions inside mines of the province.
Strange: 18 inspectors posted for 3000 mines
Around 60,000 miners have been working in over 3,000 coal mines in Balochistan. For more than 3,000 coal mines, the Balochistan mines and mineral department has appointed only 18 mine inspectors. Under the 1923 mines and mineral act Balochistan, coal miners cannot enter the mine without the inspection of the mine by an inspector.
Women, children, and aged people are not allowed to enter coal mines as per the 1923 mines act. The Balochistan government and mines owners must take steps to improve working conditions for the coal miners before it is already late.
