Lack of resources not a ground for destroying environment: PHC

Humayun Khan

PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court observed that lack of resources shall not be a ground to allowed brick-making plants to destroy environment and directed to resolve the issue by consultation among stakeholders because climate change is serious issues, on Tuesday.

The divisional bench comprising of Chief Justice Peshawar High Court (PHC) Justice Qaiser Rashid and Justice Shakeel Ahmad hearing writ petitions of Brick-makers, when the chief justice made observation while Deputy Director Environmental Protection Agency, the counsel for petitioner and Additional Advocate General appeared before court.

The counsel for petitioner informed Peshawar High Court (PHC) that government had passed a law directing brick-makers to convert their plants to zigzag technology because it will minimize impact of the industry on environment and shall ensure standard bricks making but it shall cost the brick-makers up-to Rs.6 to 7 million which is beyond the budget of the owners.

Although, EPA Mumtaz and Expert Engineer informed PHC that the project has good implication on environment while added that it is initiated from Nepal and argued that zigzag technology is expensive but not as much as claimed by brick-makers.

Additional Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa informed that zigzag technology can be installed at estimated cost of Rs.1.5 to 2 million nor Rs.6-7 to million while Chief Justice Qaiser Rashid directed to sit with brick-makers and resolve the issue, after consultation PHC was informed that brick-maker has obtained status quo to stop EPA from taking action while court has vacated the status quo.

The divisional directed counsel for petitioner to sit with government members for consultation for adaptation of zigzag technology in the industry and adjourned further hearing.