SHANGLA: A coal miner from Shangla district was killed in a tragic accident at the Lakhra coal mine near Hyderabad, Sindh, once again drawing attention to safety conditions in Pakistan’s mining sector.
The deceased, Aftab Shah, son of Mane, belonged to the village of Leelai Dandai in Shangla. According to initial reports, he was engaged in routine underground work when the fatal incident occurred.
After completion of legal formalities, his body was transported from Hyderabad to his ancestral village in Shangla, where he was laid to rest. A large number of relatives and residents attended the funeral prayers.
Mining remains key livelihood for Shangla
Shangla, one of the less-developed districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has limited industrial and employment opportunities. Local estimates suggest that a significant portion of households are linked to coal mining for income, with many workers traveling to mining areas in Sindh and Balochistan.
Workers often descend deep underground in hazardous conditions, facing risks such as gas leaks, tunnel collapses and explosions. Safety measures in some mines remain inadequate, according to labour groups and local activists.
Concerns over safety and enforcement
Pakistan’s mining operations are governed by laws including the Mines Act, which sets standards for workplace safety, medical facilities and labour protections. Provincial regulations also require mine owners to provide safety equipment and compensation in case of injury or death.
However, labour representatives say enforcement remains inconsistent and many miners are not formally registered, limiting access to compensation and social protection.
Following Aftab Shah’s death, labour unions and civil society organizations renewed calls for stricter safety inspections, mandatory registration of workers and improved compensation mechanisms for affected families.
Observers say sustained policy reforms and stronger enforcement are needed to reduce workplace hazards and protect mining communities from further loss of life.
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