Massive Gold Reserves Discovered Along Indus River in Punjab’s Attock Region Worth Rs 600 Billion

Pakistan has struck literal gold with the discovery of massive gold reserves along the Indus River in Punjab’s Attock region. These reserves, estimated at 2.8 million tolas (approximately 32.6 metric tons) and valued at Rs 600 billion, were announced by Ibrahim Hasan Murad, a prominent educationist and former provincial minister in Punjab’s caretaker government.

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The gold deposits, stretching over a 32-kilometer area from Attock to Tarbela and Mianwali, were identified through research by the Geological Survey of Pakistan. Experts reveal that these deposits, formed over millions of years where the Indus and Kabul rivers converge, become most visible during the winter months when water levels recede, exposing gold particles mixed with river sand.

Despite the promising discovery, development of these resources has been mired in controversy. Senior officials in the Mines and Minerals Department are reportedly resistant to properly exploring the gold reserves, favoring stone and sand zinc mining operations instead. Illegal gold extraction has further complicated matters, prompting the Punjab Home Department to ban unauthorized activities in the region.

Placer mining—where locals separate eroded gold particles from river sand—has been a longstanding tradition in the area. However, unauthorized excavation involving heavy machinery has become increasingly common, leading to environmental concerns and calls for stricter regulations.

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Efforts are underway to formalize exploration. According to a senior officer quoted by The Dawn, necessary amendments to the Punjab Mining Concession Rules, 2002, are being finalized. Once approved, the Punjab Environment Department is expected to greenlight placer gold auctions, potentially starting as early as December this year.

The discovery has ignited hope for significant economic gains but hinges on the resolution of bureaucratic hurdles and the implementation of sustainable extraction practices.

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