Protection of rivers’ case: PHC directs Mines & Minerals Department to correct business

Humayun Khan

PESHAWAR: A divisional bench comprising of Chief Justice Peshawar High Court (PHC) Justice Qaiser Rashid and Justice Syed Muhammad Attique Shah has directed concerned departments to submit detailed reports in cases regarding protection of rivers while nominated secretary forests Abid Majeed coordinator and focal person in the petitions while adjourned further hearing till September, on Wednesday.

During hearing Chief Justice Qaiser Rashid remarked that aim of court is to protect national assets because auction or providing lease of something/ places of historical importance is like auction of national assets and added that directions have been placed before Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He added that court didn’t stopping any project but it cannot create problems for community and remarked that it shall not be allowed that outsider contractors/ firms came to create wealth on the cost of destruction of national assets.

Commissioners Hazara and Malakand Mathar Zeb and Shoukat Yousafzai respectively along with Deputy Commissioner Malakand Muhammad Arif, DG Galyat Development Authority Khalid Mehmood, Director General Environmental Protection Agency Muhammad Anwar Khan, Director General Mines Muhammad Naeem, Barrister Asad-ul-Mulk, Additional Advocate General Syed Sikandar Hayat Shah, Barrister Waqar and Asghar Kundi along with other advocates appeared before court.

Secretary Forest Abid Majeed informed that he visited Suhki Kinaray Dam along with EPA, minerals and industries departments authorities because it is important project which will provide 884 megawatts electricity while added that 70% civil work, 49% mechanical along with electrical works have been completed.

He added two places out of four selected for raw materials for the project which will not create environmental issues because it is declared suitable by EPA and mine department while Chief Justice remarked that Sukinari dam administration can put raw materials from places if competent departments have no objection on it.

Commissioners Hazara & Malakand informed that Rs2.5 billion has been allocated for protection of rivers in the current budget and added that a permanent department is establishing for rivers’ protection which will set the issue while Chief Justice remarked that it is establishing on recommendation of PHC and directed to complete PC1 to initiate works on the ground.

The counsel for Suhkikinari Dam project informed that the contractor company has initiated a project for plantation of 84 million saplings in the area and recommendations are formulated for restoration of river which was damage during the project while Chief Justice directed to make consultation with Chief Minister and Chief Secretary to avoid such issues in future.

During hearing PHC directed mines& minerals department to correct their business while DG Muhammad Naeem informed that in last seven months zero No Objection Certificate has issued while latterly further hearing was adjourned till September.