Quetta : Shamsur-ur-Rehman Swati,
President National Labor Federation Pakistan (NLF), has demanded investigation into tragic coal mine tragedy that took place in Soranj, Quetta, in which 34 miners were martyred, is a very heartbreaking and regrettable tragedy for the entire country including Balochistan. This is not just an industrial accident but a serious test for the state, related institutions, mine owners and the monitoring system.
In a letter addressed to chief minister , Sarfraz Bughti , NFL president said these 34 miners were not just statistics, but the hope of their families, the support of their children and the life support of their elderly parents. Out of these, 24 miners belonged to Pir Abad village of Shangla district, while the remaining 10 miners were also residents of other areas of Shangla district. Six members of the same family, including three brothers, a cousin and two cousins, were killed in the accident. A young man was married just a week ago, but he could not even start his life with his bride. This tragedy has become a lifelong sorrow for many families.
The letter said “Mr. Chief Minister! The most worrying fact is that this is the third major accident associated with the same mine owner group. In June 2024, 11 workers died in the mine of the United Mining Corporation, in January 2025, 12 workers died in another mine of the same group and now 34 workers died in the Sardar Usman Jogezai Coal Company. Since there is a joint partnership between the two companies, these consecutive accidents cannot be dismissed as mere coincidence. Their independent, impartial and scientific investigations are also indispensable because the continuous increase in deaths due to accidents is evidence of serious negligence and carelessness being shown in this regard”.
It added Mr. Chief Minister! Article 9 of the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the right to life of every citizen, while Article 38 entrusts the state with the responsibility of welfare of workers, safe working environment and social security. Similarly, Pakistan, being a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), is also morally and internationally responsible for providing a safe environment at the workplace. Although Pakistan has not yet ratified ILO Convention No.176 on the safety of miners, the safety principles contained in this convention are considered best practice worldwide today and taking guidance from them is the need of the hour.
In view of these facts, we strongly demand from the Government of Balochistan to take the following steps immediately:
1. A high-level independent and autonomous investigation commission should be established, comprising international mine safety experts, Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) technical experts, occupational health and safety (OSH) experts, geologists, ventilation engineers, trade union representatives and other independent experts, and should be headed by a professional expert and a person of strong character and high human values. The commission should be given full legal and administrative powers to determine the causes of the accident, violations of safety regulations, institutional negligence and responsible individuals or institutions, have unhindered access to all relevant records, evidence and witnesses, and submit its comprehensive report to the public within a specified time frame. Furthermore, the commission should also formulate actionable and effective recommendations for the prevention of such tragic tragedies in the future, the protection of the lives and property of miners, the effectiveness of the occupational health and safety system and the implementation of international standards in the mining sector.
2. Urgent approval of Balochistan Mines Act: The proposed Balochistan Mines Act should be passed by the Balochistan Assembly without further delay and implemented, as it includes important reforms related to modern safety requirements, inspection system, responsibilities and protection of workers.
3. Comprehensive safety audit across the province: An immediate and independent safety audit should be conducted of all active coal mines. Mines that do not have gas monitoring, ventilation, emergency exit, rescue facilities and safety equipment should be kept closed until they are improved.
4. Effective supervision and accountability: The institution of Chief Inspector of Mines should be provided with full administrative autonomy, modern equipment and required manpower, while indiscriminate legal action should be taken against the concerned officers and mine owners if negligence is proven.
5. Mandatory OSH Training: A system of regular and mandatory training on Occupational Health and Safety (OSH), gas hazards, ventilation, first aid, emergency evacuation and use of protective equipment (PPE) should be developed for all miners, supervisors and mine managers.
6. Special Mine Rescue Force: Specially trained mine rescue units should be established under PDMA, Rescue 1122 and Mines Rescue, which should be provided with modern breathing apparatus, gas detection system, thermal cameras and other necessary facilities.
7. Air Ambulance Facility: In case of major mine accidents, helicopter or air ambulance facility should be provided on regular basis for timely transfer of martyrs and seriously injured, so that families in remote areas can pay their last respects to their loved ones and the injured can get timely treatment.
8. Rehabilitation of affected families: A comprehensive rehabilitation package should be announced for the families of all martyrs, including adequate financial compensation, employment for one family member, education for children, health facilities, housing and social security.
We take this opportunity to thank the rescue If facilities and safety equipment are not available, they should be kept closed until rectified.
4. Effective Supervision and Accountability: The Chief Inspector of Mines should be provided with full administrative autonomy, modern equipment and required manpower, while indiscriminate legal action should be taken against the concerned officers and mine owners if negligence is proven.
5. Mandatory OSH Training: A system of regular and mandatory training on Occupational Health and Safety (OSH), gas hazards, ventilation, first aid, emergency evacuation and use of protective equipment (PPE) should be formulated for all miners, supervisors and mine managers.
6. Special Mine Rescue Force: Specially trained mine rescue units should be established under PDMA, Rescue 1122 and Mines Rescue, which should be provided with modern breathing apparatus, gas detection system, thermal cameras and other necessary facilities.
7. Air Ambulance Facility: In case of major mine accidents, helicopter or air ambulance facility should be provided on a regular basis for timely transfer of martyrs and seriously injured, so that families in remote areas can pay their last respects to their loved ones and the injured can get timely treatment.
8. Rehabilitation of affected families: A comprehensive rehabilitation package should be announced for the families of all martyrs, including adequate financial compensation, employment for one member of the family, education of children, health facilities, housing and social security.
We, on this occasion, pay tribute to the services of the Chief Inspector of Mines Balochistan, Mines Inspectorate, Mines Labor Welfare, PDMA Balochistan, Rescue 1122, Al-Khidmat, FC Balochistan, Police, National Labor Federation Balochistan and all volunteers, who continued the rescue operation continuously in extremely difficult conditions.
Mr. Chief Minister! History is witness that nations do not only regret accidents but also learn from them and improve their systems. If this tragedy is reduced to a mere file like past tragedies, it will not only cause more precious lives to be lost in the future but will also severely damage the public’s trust in state institutions.
We hope that you will take personal interest and make this tragedy a decisive turning point for reforms in the mining industry of Balochistan, effective accountability, strong legislation and protection of human lives, so that in the future no worker’s child will be orphaned, no mother will be deprived of her young son and no bride will be widowed a few days after marriage