Supreme Court Judge Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail called on the government to formally recognize mining as an industry on Thursday, emphasizing the harsh and often dangerous conditions faced by miners, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Currently, the mining sector contributes a mere 3.2% to Pakistan’s GDP, despite the country’s vast mineral reserves. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has often stressed the significant potential of these resources, suggesting that harnessing them could free Pakistan from dependence on global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with mineral reserves valued in the trillions of dollars.
Speaking at a national conference on the theme ‘Workers and Employers in 2025: Navigating Change with Harmony,’ Justice Mandokhail urged reforms to improve the conditions of workers in the mining sector. He emphasized the lack of institutional safeguards for miners and advocated for legal and administrative changes to ensure their rights and well-being.
“In the eyes of the law and Islam, employers and workers are equal, and the Supreme Court is the ultimate guardian of their rights,” said Justice Mandokhail. He further highlighted that while judges must uphold the law, justice extends beyond the courts, with every individual responsible for upholding fairness in their actions.
Justice Mandokhail also referenced Article 17 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to association, and stressed that labor unions should protect workers’ legal rights while fostering cooperation. He noted that improving relations between employees and employers could reduce the backlog of labor-related cases in the courts.
The event, which marked International Labour Day, was organized by the National Industrial Relations Commission (NIRC) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Pakistan.
Justice Jawad Hassan of the Lahore High Court lauded Pakistan’s progressive legislative framework on labor rights, highlighting the country’s long-standing commitment to labor laws since the 1969 Industrial Relations Ordinance. He also pointed out that Pakistan has signed nearly all 48 international treaties related to labor rights.
In his address, Justice (Retd) Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, Chairman of NIRC, emphasized the commission’s role in promoting national industrial progress while safeguarding workers’ interests. Barrister Dr. Zafarullah Khan, a prominent jurist, cited the Holy Quran in his remarks, stating that the mission of the prophets was to establish justice. He also emphasized that, in Islam, lawful and hard-earned income is not only permissible but also an act of worship, replacing exploitative labor systems with values of liberty, equity, and dignity.
Despite the potential of the mining sector, workers in the region continue to face dangerous conditions, including poorly ventilated shafts, the constant threat of cave-ins, and chronic health problems, highlighting the urgent need for reforms and protections in this critical industry.
