Faisalabad: Divisional Commissioner Imran Hamid Sheikh on Monday ordered a fresh assessment of industries causing air pollution and discharging chemical-contaminated wastewater in urban areas.
Chairing a meeting of District Industrial Relocation Committee, the Divisional Commissioner reviewed progress on the industrial relocation programme. He also directed the departments concerned to prepare comprehensive mapping and data for the phased relocation of hazardous industrial units.
He directed the Environmental Protection Agency, Labor Department and Industries Department to conduct a fresh evaluation of industrial units operating in urban areas that contribute to air pollution or release chemically contaminated wastewater and submit a detailed report.
He stressed that industries declared hazardous to human health should be relocated in phases after proper mapping. He directed the departments concerned to compile complete data and prepare a comprehensive map identifying all polluting industrial units to facilitate informed decision-making. He said that safeguarding public health and protecting the environment remain the administration’s foremost priorities, adding that effective action would be taken against industries found to be posing serious environmental and health risks.
To monitor progress on the relocation program, the Divisional Commissioner convened another review meeting to be held after 15 days. Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry, Deputy Director Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Usman Azhar, Director Labor Welfare Rai Yasin, Assistant Commissioner (General) Atiya Inayat and District Officer Industries Muhammad Irfan were also present in the meeting.