Approves appointment of focal persons to initiate joint anti-smog activities
Provincial Minister for Environment Protection Punjab Muhammad Basharat Raja has stated that all possible measures are being taken by the Punjab government to protect the people from harmful health environment.
He approved the appointment of focal persons to initiate joint anti-smog activities of Punjab Environment Protection Department and industrialist community. A delegation of Steel Re-Rolling Mills Association led by former member Punjab assembly Ch. Waseem Qadir call on the minister in his chamber at provincial assembly.
The delegation also included Chairman Ravi Industrial Owners Association Inamul Haque Butt, Vice President Small Steel Rerolling Association Abid Saeed, General Secretary All Pakistan Steel Rerolling Association Muhammad Kamran and other office bearers. Provincial Environment Protection Department (EPD) Minister Mohammad Basharat Raja while talking to the delegation said that the cooperation of the industrial community is imperative for the protection of the environment.
“The purpose of the actions of the department of Environment is not to challan factories but to ensure the protection of the environment”, he told. He said that the teams of EPD and the district administration were fully active for the reduction of pollution, however he clarified that the raids of the teams are for the prevention of possible smog, their purpose was not to hinder industrial activities.
The delegation told the provincial minister that furnaces emit more smoke when start but later on this quantity reduces so inspection during morning time do not reflect actual position.
Accepting the demand, Raja Basharat directed that the EPD teams should inspect the steel mills after 11 am. He said that all possible measures are being taken by the Punjab government to protect the people from harmful health environment. “The small scale industry of North Lahore should shift to modern technology to reduce pollution.
In this regard, Punjab Small Industries Corporation will also be discussed for cooperation” concluded Mr. Raja. Accepting the demand, Raja Basharat directed that the EPD teams should inspect the steel mills after 11 am. He said that all possible measures are being taken by the Punjab government to protect the people from harmful health environment.
