According to the Daily Times, Swat Taliban is using revenues from gemstone mining and sales in Swat and Shangla for terrorism.



Entrepreneurs participating in a Gem Bazaar organized by the Pakistan Gems and Jewelry Development Company in Namak Mandi stated that the Taliban is using the money for terrorist activities in the Swat, Buner and Dir districts of Pakistan.



An emerald trader from Swat who had displayed his precious gemstones at the bazaar said that the Taliban has initiated extensive mining using hired laborers and are selling the precious gemstones in the black market.



He added that plunderers have also taken control of several mines of high quality gemstones. One of the mines raised about Rs 90 million for the government in a single auction in the past.



Another gemstone trader stated that the Taliban has also taken over the Mingora emerald mine. In addition, the Shamozai emerald mine, some 25 kilometers from Mingora, and the Gujaro Killay emerald mine in Shangla, have reportedly also been taken over by the Swat Taliban.



He added that dealers from all over Pakistan come to the Mingora mine every Sunday to attend auctions of emeralds discovered at the mine.



Neither the federal nor the provincial government has taken action to prevent the looting of state property.