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Pak-EPA plan to shift I-9 steel mills approved

By Atif Khan

ISLAMABAD: Environment Minister Hameedullah Jan Afridi on Thursday approved in principle a plan of Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) to shift steel furnaces from Islamabad to new industrial zone, to be indicated by Capital Development Authority (CDA) within six weeks.

He was chairing a meeting on relocation of steel furnaces located in sectors I-9 and I-10. CDA Chairman Tariq Mehmood Khan, Pak-EPA Director General (DG) Asif Shuja Khan, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Ejaz Ahmed Abbasi and representatives of steel industry, Planning Commission and others stakeholders attended the meeting.

Afridi said the ministry supported industrialisation and economic activity in the country and simultaneously expected cooperation of trade community to overcome pollution.

The ministry is aware of the fact that the industry in private sector is contributing 1.5 million ton of steel against the demand of 2.5 million ton.

Recalling his recent visit to China with the Pakistani president, he said the Chinese steel industry had reduced industrial emission to 250 ton per year from thousands ton per year in the past.

Addressing the meeting, the CDA chairman appreciated the minister for convening the meeting. He said the CDA would stand with the ministry for any action towards controlling pollution and making Islamabad a green city.

The ICCI president said development of industrial zone in Sector I-17 was in advanced stage and the industry could be accommodated if access roads and other utility services were provided there.

“One steel unit has about 1,000 employees and such 36 unites are directly linked with the steel industry,” he said. Abbasi advised the government not to close down the units abruptly.

Mian Akraam, a representative of steel furnaces, said the industry would support the ministry’s initiatives for elimination of pollution. In this regard, he also extended the industry’s co-operation to the ministry.

Green Industry Award: On the occasion, the minister announced Green Industry Award that will be conferred on steel mill showing satisfactory performance in controlling the pollution. He said the awards would be conferred as an annual activity during 2009 that had been declared the Year of Environment.

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