Quetta one of the polluted cities of Pakistan: Mitha Khan Kakar
Matiullah Khan
Balochistan Minister for Environment, Mitha Khan Kakar here on Friday said Quetta is one of the polluted cities of Pakistan. Pakistan has declared 10 cities as the most polluted and Quetta is one of them. “We have sealed 21 crush plants to overcome the pollution problem“, he told a news conference. The Minister spoke at length about the government’s initiatives about the implementation of environmental laws in the province.
Secretary environment Balochistan Saboor Kakar and other officials were also present on the occasion.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stepped up actions against crush plants, rice mills, shopping malls violating the environmental laws. “EPA has also canceled the licenses of 14 crush plant owners”, Mr. Kakar mentioned.
Those violating laws be taken to task: Saboor Kakar
Saboor Kakar on the occasion mentioned that the department has taken a number of initiatives to mitigate the impacts of the increasing pollution problems in the province. “Everyone violating the environmental laws would be taken to task”, Mr. Kakar warned.
Minister environment informed that currently, 115 cases relating to the environment were under trial in the environmental tribunal. He said the people have to follow the building code and environmental laws.
Mr. Kakar stated that 15 owners of the plazas and buildings fined for violating the environmental laws. He said the EPA has conducted surveys in 60 private hospitals of Quetta to make sure implementation of environmental laws. Notices issued to 10 commercial plazas owners in Quetta city, he added.
CM Balochistan takes notice
Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan has taken serious notice of environmental issues and increasing pollution in Quetta city. The CM has directed the EPA to step up efforts to bring those violating laws to book.
