The National Accountability Bureau, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has uncovered alleged illegal phosphate mining in Kakul, Abbottabad, which it says caused losses of between Rs. 740 million and Rs. 848 million to the national exchequer and damaged valuable forest resources.

According to NAB sources, the matter came to light after residents of Kakul filed a complaint against Zar Gul Khan, accusing him of illegally extracting phosphate from forest land and selling it to various fertilizer manufacturing plants.

After conducting a preliminary inquiry, NAB found merit in the allegations and launched a formal investigation.

The bureau alleges that phosphate worth millions of rupees was extracted from forest areas between 2010 and 2018 with the alleged connivance of certain officials of the Mines Department. It said the illegal activity also caused extensive damage to the Guzara forests during that period.

According to the investigation report, the accused was later granted a mining licence by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mines and Minerals Department in 2018. However, NAB investigators claim that the licence was issued in violation of relevant forest laws and mining regulations.

NAB further alleged that a total of 175,258 metric tons of phosphate was extracted between 2010 and June 2025, with an estimated value ranging from Rs. 740 million to Rs. 848 million.

The bureau said the alleged illegal mining caused major losses to the government in the form of unpaid royalties, taxes, and other dues, dealing a significant financial blow to the national exchequer.

NAB has filed a reference under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010 in the Accountability Court, and trial proceedings are expected to begin shortly.