The government has approved amendments to explosive rules for the existing licences to allow four firms to manufacture high-density commercial explosives.
The government approved the "Amendments to Existing Licences in Form EL-01 of Explosives Rules, 2010, for Manufacturing of High-Density Commercial Explosives."
Sources told The Express Tribune that the Petroleum Division noted in a recent meeting of the cabinet that the Department of Explosives (DOE), an attached department, was working under the administrative control of the Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division).
The DOE is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring public safety at all levels of manufacturing, transportation, storage, import, export, and use of explosives, petroleum products and hazardous chemicals within the country.
The department, in its letter dated September 20, 2023, requested the approval of the federal government for the existing licences in Form EL-01 of the following firms/licensees for the manufacturing of high-density commercial explosive materials.
The companies included Wah Associates, Jamhex Company, Wah Nobel Detonators and Araka Enterprises.
Details of the existing authorisation and proposed amendments showing the quantity of items and materials of the firms/licensees were placed before the cabinet.
The cabinet was informed that, as per serial No 1 of Schedule-IV of the Explosive Rules, 2010, the authority to grant a licence in Form EL-01 lay with the chief inspector, currently the director general of explosives. However, as per Rule 111(1)(b) of the Explosives Rules, 2010, any amendment to the licence requires approval of the government.
The amendment was proposed, stating that any licence granted under the rules may be amended by the authority empowered to grant the licence. However, no licence in Form EL-01 shall be amended without the approval of the federal government.
It was noted that in line with the above legal position, the summary was submitted to the cabinet on February 19, 2024. On consideration of the case, the cabinet directed the Petroleum Division to obtain clearance from the strategic ministries and the Ministry of Interior prior to resubmitting the case for the cabinet's approval.
The Petroleum Division said that, as per directives of the Cabinet Division in letters dated March 20, 2024, the ministries concerned were requested to provide clearance. In response, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defence Production expressed no objection to the amendment to the licence in Form EL-01. However, the Ministry of Defence stated that the matter did not pertain to their ministry.
Approval of the cabinet was solicited for the amendment to the licence, in respect of the specified firms and licensees. It was certified that all necessary formalities including the application for A-11, distance form EM-06, treasury challans, and other required documentation had been fulfilled.
The cabinet considered a summary titled "Grant of Amendments in Existing Licences in Form EL-01 of Explosives Rules, 2010 for Manufacturing of High-Density Commercial Explosives" and approved the proposal.
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