ISLAMABAD, May 23: Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has directed a local steel mill to stop its operations until it brings its emission level within the permissible standard, Dawn has learnt.

The agency has issued an Environmental Protection Order (EPO) based on the observation of Pak-EPA Director-General Asif Shujah, who visited the I-9 industrial area on May 17 and found the steel mill owned by Al Hadeed Industries emitting thick black smoke and polluting the area. The EPO has been issued under section 16 (2) of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act 1997.

The mill owner, however, has the right to appeal at the Environmental Protection Tribunal within 30 days of receipt of the EPO. However, the Pak-EPA has directed its management that it should adopt measures to bring its pollution level within limits prescribed by the National Environmental Quality Standards (NESQ).

“You are directed to submit operating sheets and drawings of your anti-pollution device, if any, along with latest lab analysis report of particulate matter and gaseous emission of your unit to this agency,” the EPO said.

Under the environment act, this steel mill could not re- start its operation until it is cleared by the agency after on- site inspection. Under the act, if the agency is convinced that the discharge or emission of any effluent, waste, air pollutant, noise, waste disposal, handling of hazardous substances or any other act is likely to occur or has occurred in violation of the provisions of the environment act, an EPO can be issued.

Under the EPO a fine of up to Rs1 million could be imposed on the respondent and in case of continued violation, an additional fine of Rs100,000 could be enforced for every single day the contraventions continue.

Similarly, if the environmental tribunal is satisfied with the agency’s observations it can sentence a factory owner for a term which may be extended to two years. The tribunal can also order closure of a factory or confiscation of equipment and material used against the provision of the environment protection act.

In total, there are 115 industries in the industrial area of the city. Out of these, eight are steel melting furnaces, 11 re- rolling mills, 25 flour mills, five oil and ghee mills, 31 marble cutting and polishing units and 23 metal working and engineering units. According to a recent report of the agency, the area has 20 times more air pollution than the internationally accepted standards.