CHINIOT: Household survey by revenue assistants through the district administration for the acquisition of land for the proposed iron ore mining and steel mills project is spreading a wave of concern among possible-affected population and area.
According to Punjab Mineral Company estimates, Chiniot deposits contain 149.8 million tonnes of iron ore resources. The proposed project aims to produce approximately 4.6 million tonnes of ore annually.
The administration started the spadework for land acquisition without taking into confidence the local public, stakeholders and elected representatives which spurred panic among the population.
The Chiniot Assistant Commissioner office had acquired 894 kanals of land situated in the city on June 04, 2025 under Section-4 of Land Acquisition Act, 1894, banning the transfer of property in the area.
A few months ago, Secretary Mines and Minerals Pervez Iqbal visited the area along with experts and proposed another 7,200 kanals of land to be acquired. The revenue assistants started door to door survey about the houses, their ownership and the number and type of rooms and facilities in each housing unit.
A new map also went viral on social media in which thickly-populated areas of Chiniot, including Thatti Mochian; Shah Nawaz Colony, Hakim Colony, Pir Khan Shah Bokhari; Chah Jehangiriwala hosting 50,000 people; 7000 houses; over 12 mosques and imambargah; 12 private and government schools; four graveyards and janazagah; one Fesco grid station, fruit and vegetable market, over 700 furniture manufacturing small industrial units are feared to be taken over under the acquisition act.
This step ignited agitation among affected population. A delegation of the affected met with Deputy Commissioner Ayesha Rizwan and Additional Deputy Commissioner Revenue Muhammad Ahmar who promised to convey their concerns to the government of Punjab.
The Chiniot bar also observed strike last week and passed a resolution condemning the possible displacement of population and demanded that the plants and mining be done outside populated area. Bar urged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take notice of the unrest.
Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2026
