Web Desk:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs. 200,000 each against 15 major shopping malls and stores in Quetta city. EPA has launched a crackdown against all anti-environmental units, manufacturing stations, mining operations, zero polythene bags, strict monitoring, and evaluation, and closing down all units without Environmental NOC.
The Director-General EPA, Muhammad Jahangir Khan Kakar chaired a meeting of the agency to review the pace of crackdown against those violating the environmental laws in the city.
Saboor Kakar, the Secretary Environment Balochistan told the daily Quetta Voice that 15 major shopping malls and stores had violated the environment act 2012. The owners of the shopping malls and stores have been directed to submit the penalty amount within 15 days if anyone failed, then, legal action would be taken against them.
“None is going to be spared and the law will take its course”, Mr. Kakar said.
The EPA has already sealed 21 stone crushing plants in the suburbs of Quetta city the other day. This for the first time that EPA has launched such an effective crackdown against those violating the environmental laws. The agency has already imposed a ban on the use and sale of polythene bags in the province.
The EPA has also directed all its district officers to submit reports about violating of Balochistan Environmental Act 2012.
