Balochistan govt allowed import of hazardous lube oil

Federal govt orders investigation into the matter.

QUETTA: The federal government has taken notice of issuing a no-objection certificate (NOC) to a firm for importing 50,000 metric tons of used lube oil from Oman to Balochistan which is hazardous to environment as well as human beings.

A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the matter on the direction of the federal government, sources told The Express Tribune.

The sources said that a firm, Hadil Trading Company, was seeking an NOC from the federal government for importing used lube oil from Oman into Balochistan.

“The oil was used in Oman’s industrial sector and a firm purchased it at cheaper rates despite its hazardous impact on environment,” an official said on condition of anonymity. The firm acquired the NOC from the Balochistan government and submitted it to the Oman government for the oil import.

Pakistan and Oman are signatories to the Basel Convention which restricts its members from importing or exporting materials which may cause danger to environment and human health. The Oman government, which is also a signatory to the convention, sent a letter to Pakistan, asking how an NOC was given for importing used lube oil in such a huge quantity.

The federal government then took serious note of the issue and asked the authorities concerned to investigate the matter.

“The NOC had been issued by the Balochistan Environmental Protection Agency without consulting the federal government,” the official said. He added that investigations are under way.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2010.