K-P minister drives green initiatives
Dead clams, seaweed, and plastic churned out by the sea during high tides triggered by cyclone Biparjoy are seen on the Clifton beach. If not cleared, the rotting garbage can cause environmental pollution. Photo: express
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Minister for Industries, Commerce, Technical Education, and Newly Merged Districts Affairs, Dr. Aamir Abdullah on Wednesday initiated a proactive approach towards addressing environmental concerns and enhancing industrial development in the region.
During his one-day visit to the Mohmand tribal district, Dr. Aamir Abdullah inaugurated two industrial units and laid the foundation stone for a new unit in an industrial zone established within the district as part of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KPEZDMC) initiative.
The two new oil units, which became operational within a remarkably short period of one month, were officially inaugurated by the caretaker minister. Furthermore, he laid the foundation stone for a newly established flour mill.
These industrial endeavors represent a total investment of Rs1.2 billion and are expected to create employment opportunities for approximately 1,100 local residents.
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The minister expressed his commitment to improving employment prospects for the local population within their own area.
During the inauguration, Dr. Aamir Abdullah was accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of KPEZDMC, Javed Iqbal Khattak, and the company’s zone manager, as well as local industrialists and community leaders.
In his address, the caretaker minister underlined his determination to see these areas gain prominence through industrialization while preserving the rich traditions and hard work of their inhabitants.
He directed that the waste generated by marble factories in the area should be recycled into tiles, providing an environmentally friendly solution. This recycled material can also be utilized in products manufactured in ball mills, further contributing to sustainability. The minister called for technical assistance from KPEZDMC to facilitate this endeavor.
The caretaker minister instructed company authorities to raise awareness about food safety regulations during food processing in cooking oil units and urged relevant industries to maintain cleanliness in compliance with legal requirements within their units.
In response to concerns raised by some industrialists regarding drainage in the industrial zone, Dr. Aamir Abdullah directed that this issue should be incorporated into the next development package.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of establishing a fund through collaborative efforts with industrialists, following the principles of corporate social responsibility. This fund could then be utilized for the welfare and benefit of the local population.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 2nd, 2023.