PROVINCE REPORT
SHANGLA: Two coal miners from Shangla, identified as Zareen Taj, son of Fazal Karim, and Muhammad Qayyum, son of Muhammad Zaman, have died in a coal mining accident in Darra Adam Khel, taking the number of young men from the district killed in mining accidents during 2026 to 53, according to local information.
The recurring deaths have plunged Shangla into grief and raised concerns about the safety of workers employed in the coal mines. The loss of young miners has devastated families, many of whom depend on their sons as their sole breadwinners. Their deaths leave behind widows, orphaned children and elderly parents facing serious financial and social difficulties.
Despite repeated tragedies, effective measures to prevent mining accidents and support bereaved families remain a major concern. The situation has developed into a wider humanitarian and economic challenge for the underdeveloped district, where poverty and unemployment continue to push young people towards hazardous work far from home.
The governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan have been urged to establish industries and factories in Shangla to create sustainable employment opportunities for local youth. Such initiatives could reduce dependence on dangerous coal mining and enable young people to earn a livelihood in their home district.
Strict enforcement of mine safety regulations, regular inspections and effective monitoring of working conditions are also essential to prevent further fatalities.
The government has further been urged to establish a permanent welfare mechanism for families of miners killed in accidents. Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, the Zakat and Ushr Department, the Benazir Income Support Programme and the Social Welfare Department should coordinate financial assistance, healthcare, educational support for children, vocational training and employment opportunities for affected families.
According to local accounts, generations of Shangla residents have depended on coal mining for their livelihoods, with the dangerous practice reportedly extending to a fifth generation.
