Business

In photos: Marble quarrying in Mohmand Agency

The various colours of Mohmand's marble are famous both in Pakistan and internationally.

By Alamgir Khan

2018-05-31

A mountain with marble deposits in Mohmand Agency can be seen in this picture taken in May. [Alamgir Khan]

An empty truck heads out to load marble from a mountain in May in Mohmand Agency. [Alamgir Khan]

Workers load a truck with marble in Mohmand Agency in May. [Alamgir Khan]

A loader hauls marble to a nearby truck in Mohmand Agency in May. [Alamgir Khan]

Workers load a truck with marble in May in Mohmand Agency. [Alamgir Khan]

Workers load marble onto a truck in May in Mohmand Agency. [Alamgir Khan]

Trucks carry marble from a mountain to a factory in Mohmand Agency in May. [Alamgir Khan]

Workers unload a truck at a marble factory in Mohmand Agency in May. [Alamgir Khan]

A crane loads a marble rock onto a cutting machine at a marble factory in Mohmand Agency in May. [Alamgir Khan]

A worker looks on as a marble rock is cut in Mohmand Agency in May. [Alamgir Khan]

A factory worker processes marble in May in Mohmand Agency. [Alamgir Khan]

A factory worker holds a slab of processed marble in Mohmand Agency in May. [Alamgir Khan]

A guesthouse in Mohmand Agency built by the owner of Ziarat Marble was made predominantly from marble, shown here in May. [Alamgir Khan]

GHALANAI, Mohmand Agency -- The vast variety of marble found in Mohmand Agency is known throughout Pakistan and the world, and local marble stakeholders are urging the government to help the business thrive.

"Mohmand Agency produces various kinds and colours of marble, including white, gray and pink, as well as other colours and varieties," Wali Khan, president of the Marble Union in Baizai area, told Pakistan Forward.

Marble mining began in Mohmand Agency in 1990, but modern extraction facilities are needed to advance the industry.

"A lack of modern facilities is affecting the business," Khan said. "Due to the use of explosive material [for extraction], we are losing more than 80% of the marble."