Malakand steel mills told to get NOCs to continue work

Regional commissioner says there can be no compromise on the environment

SWAT: In a blow to the fledgling steel industry of the area, the local commissioner has imposed a ban on all steel mills operating in the area unless they obtain compliance certificates from the environmental protection body.

“These open furnaces are distributing cancer and other epidemic diseases in the community and the administration will not let them compromise on public’s health and safety,” stated Malakand Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud the other day as he announced the ban on the seven mills operating in the area.

“The environment comes first, and anyone who is interested in running run his industry should install mechanical units as suggested by the environment protection agency (EPA) to filter and control emission of hazardous and nitrogenous gases,” the commissioner added, noting that approval of the EPA was must to set up and operate such plants.

He added that the industry was the key to resolving unemployment and economic impoverishment in the area, but that does not mean that environmental SOP’s are compromised. “Malakand has scenic beauty with naturally decorated areas and all necessary steps need to be taken to protect this clean and green environment,” Mehsud was quoted as saying.

“We are trying to shift these industries to the industrial estate which was recently inaugurated by K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan,” he added.  He also imposed a condition for steel mills to first obtain No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to be issued by the environmental protection agency before starting work in the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 13^th, 2019.