LAKKI MARWAT: The district administration sealed four brick kilns for violating environmental regulations in Bannu on Wednesday.

An official said the action was initiated on the directives of deputy commissioner Mohammad Fahim Khan under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister’s public service agenda.

He said that a team led by assistant commissioner Allah Nawaz Khan launched a crackdown on brick kilns located along roadsides following complaints that the owners were not complying with environmental laws. “The team consisted of officials of Environmental Protection Agency, industries department and tehsil municipal administration,” he said.

Mr Nawaz said the brick kilns were sealed for polluting environment and posing a serious threat to humans. He said notices had been issued to the owners to implement environmental regulations in letter and spirit or face stern legal action.

DRC SET UP: A dispute resolution council, an initiative of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police to resolve disputes amicably, has been established in the Wazir subdivision of Bannu district.

For the first time after the merger of the former frontier region into Bannu district, the local tribesmen will use the forum to settle their disputes.

District police officer Saleem Abbas Kulachi met with the council members on Wednesday and discussed with them the nature of disputes of tribal people and problems faced by them.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2025