Sayed Sajid Shah Bokhari
Coal mines industry is one of the oldest industries in the world to serve the humans. Although the people in ancient time had to use coal as one of the best, cheaper and easily, available source for energy.It could be used for heating and cooking purposes.The power of coal as combustion was recognized when George Stephenson discovered the Railway Engine in 1774.However, in the nineteen century it was understood, that combustion of coal produces toxic gaseous as well. With further increase in its use in 1934 for atomic purposes and as a furnace it becomes quite clear that coal is composed of very toxic gaseous Carbon Mono Oxide and Methane both are health hazard. Latter on explosion in mines further revealed, that they had to kill human with in few seconds if caught fire. The dark and dangerous smoke from the bricks furnace and oilstone had increased the world temperature, rupturing the Ozone layer and is responsible for 100 % pollution on earth. All this was because of the Coal used as agent of heating during the atomic warhead process and in technology. The rupture of Ozone layer in 1986, made the world more vulnerable and thinkable to investigate the other forms of energy less dangerous to the planet earth .The Solar energy and Hydrogen were found the alternate energy sources however, it has not minimized the use of coal but it has sensitize the world to know the consequences before it is too late .In the recent meeting of countries 26,for protecting environment it was stressed to minimize the use of coal. The coal, oil and Gas could be found as gift from Allah dumped in the soil on the name of natural resources made from FOSSILS million and billions of years ago. However, the very bad thing attached to the theme could be their irrecoverable stance; therefore these natural resources if not used wisely, could make the future world and generation in shortage. Just imagine in Pakistan the coal mines and other resources had deposit of more than three trillion tones.However being illiterate and due to scarcity of Modern Machinery and lack of political leadership we could not utilize it to change the destiny of our people. However, its negative consequences in term of traditional and conventional approach had lost huge population of the country and especially of Shangla where 79 % people could be found in coal mines industry. The killing and death in coal mines industry is not a new phenomenon but the way, we have to deal the workers of coal mines is extremely regrettable .In the year 1906, in the town of France towards North Coriser a bitter incident in the history of coal mines industry happened .It was 10th,March when huge explosion stuck the workers and killed 1000 people and 100 horses on the spot. The reason for the incident was short circuit fault or due to fire caught of gas Methane is still unknown. For a few days the rescue, relief and rehabilitation services were carried out and 750 people could be saved. In our country although there could be hundred problems but we do not possess any mechanism, machinery, technical resources to save a single person in Rescue. As a result of such accidents our workers though get enough amounts for few months and years but loss their health forever. Still we have thousands of workers with broken backbone, lungs cancer and cough problems with TB.Coal Mines industry is very huge industry in Pakistan. It has expanded deposits in the most remote areas Like Queta, Cherat, Dina Jehlum, Marwar, Hyderabdad,Cherat etc. Unfortunately this industry run on whims and prayers always. Before going to mine the workers could be found suspicious about the future weather to be alive or dead .In our industries the machinery, protocols ,protective measures all had nothing to do with worker life. The people could be found in so hurry always taking risks. Due to the nature of work inside soil at a depth of more than 4000 feet it is called worst form of laboring. The workers groups come under the labour department and the workers welfare foundation works for the betterment ,welfare and development of coal mines workers. Although the workers inside the mines work in extreme harsh condition to sustain their families. However ,it is a matter of great concern that in district Shangla 79% population had direct involvement in coal mines industry. It has been estimated that one coffin the people of Shangla received, on weekly basis in aggregate .Unfortunately with the death of workers the wife of deceased, the children suffered badly. Being illiterate the workers don’t have any other option than to go to the coal mines industry but the same pattern as followed by their offspring and it is dilemma.The minimum wages and huge work brings poverty level to the depth and increased the number of orphans and widows in Shangla. Due to extremely low profile the people survival could not found any sustainable way. The health, education, electricity, unemployment, clean drinking water, social justice and unawareness of people have made them more vulnerable. Being huge industry the coal mines workers can only achieve death certificate and grant at the end of life but never in their life time. It has also been observed that the services (stipend for the workers children, Jhizz funds, labour colony and working focus grammar school) provided by government of Pakistan under endowment funds had no chances for the labour of Shangla. Unfortunately, there is no data available that how many workers have lost their lives, how many of them get compensations, how many had severe kind of diseases and how many have received the money from the welfare fund and what about the widows and their lives in future?The matter is serious and urgent it needs attention to save the workers and their families of any more devastation rather than posing for face book pictures.
