PESHAWAR, Aug 21: City District Nazim Azam Afridi has given a one-week deadline to carpet weavers to shift their centres from residential areas of the provincial metropolis.

Speaking at the concluding session of the city district council on Thursday, he asked carpet weavers to remove their establishments from residential colonies within seven days.

Convener Dr Iqbal Khalil presided over the proceedings. Councillor Haji Ali through a resolution drew the council’s attention towards the environmental hazards, caused by the carpet industry in the city.

Mr Afridi said that the government would take measures to reduce the level of dust, water and air pollution. He said that carpet related activities polluted the environment posing threat to human health.

He said the government would facilitate the owners of the carpet weaving centres to establish their business at appropriate site outside the city.

The previous government had planned to establish a carpet village for Afghan carpet weavers at Chamkani near Peshawar to address the issue of environmental pollution.

Land was allocated for the proposed carpet village. The government shelved the project when a large number of Afghan craftsmen went back to their homeland following war on terrorism in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the district council through a unanimous resolution asked the federal and provincial governments to announce a comprehensive development package for Peshawar city. UC Nazim Israrullah advocate presented the resolution.

Through another resolution the district government demanded of the NWFP government to abolish contract policy and all contract employees should be made permanent. The council also demanded that the councillors should be paid Rs1,000 per month as honorarium.