On February 20, 2026, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government imposed a 60-day ban on illegal mining and placer gold extraction along the Indus and Kabul rivers, citing severe environmental and public health concerns. This ban, enacted under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, affects several districts including Swabi and Nowshera. An official order from the Home and Tribal Affairs Department highlighted that illegal mining has led to significant ecological damage and poses risks to law and order, with fears of organized groups resisting enforcement actions. The provincial cabinet has mandated coordinated efforts from local administrations and police to combat illegal mining, warning that violators will face strict penalties under the Pakistan Penal Code.