The people of Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) were faced with the problem as under the newly implemented constitution of Pakistan, the mines cannot be owned by tribes and are now considered the property of the government which were traditionally owned and developed by the local tribes and various departments (now operating in NMDs) required lengthy licensing and leasing agreements and security and environmental clearances procedures which created resentment among a vast population of district Khyber as they consider it a forced confiscation of their lawful right. This project seeks to scientifically understand the view point of the various stakeholders before making recommendations on resolution of the issue. It would use stakeholder consultation to confirm the findings before using various forums such as academic articles, special reports and seminars to advise and advocate for informed and knowledge-based solution to the problem.
