Coal mining has been resumed with the help of the Pakistan Army after 16 years in Central Kurram, an economically backward area that was considered a hideout for terrorists, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

62 out of 170 mines are successfully producing coal. Hundreds of colliers are working in mines, and the number of workers and employment opportunities are increasing with each passing day.

Over 5,000 jobs have been created in the area due to the coal mining activities. The security forces have achieved another milestone by eradicating terrorism in Kurram.

The locals are quite happy over the resumption of coal mining. They said that resources were being rightly utilised due to coal mining which was not less than a blessing.

They also expressed gratitude to the security forces for maintaining peace in the area and rightly utilising the coal resources.

“I have been working here for 20 years. This area is safe and clear due to the support of the security forces,” said a local.

“Along with employment opportunities, other problems of the locals have also been reduced to a great extent for which we are grateful to the Pakistan Army,” said the local labourers.