ISLAMABAD, Jan 7: Minister of State for Environment Maj Tahir Iqbal (retired) has warned brick-kiln owners, located in and around the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, to stop using old tyres and sludge for fuel due to their environmental hazards.

He was talking to Dawn on Wednesday after attending a meeting with a Chinese delegation visiting Pakistan for providing it technical assistance to adopt cleaner environment-friendly technologies, specifically in the field of brick-kiln processing.

"I have categorically told the office-bearers of the Bhatta owners associations of Rawalpindi-Islamabad to use coal or other material for fuel instead of tyres, otherwise, they will face tough penalties, even closure of their businesses," the minister said.

At present there are about 400 brick kilns in and around the twin cities and the business is witnessing a continuous surge as the construction industry is booming in this area.

According to Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pepa) report, most brick kilns are using old tyres and sludge as fuel which have become a permanent source of air pollution in and around this area.

"Even if you pass by some of the brick kilns using old tyres as fuel with closed windows of your car, one feels stifled," he said. The minister said he would personally visit brick kilns, and if anybody was found using tyres for fuel would be dealt with severely.

President of the Brick Kiln Association in Rawalpindi and Islamabad Mirza Mahfooz, present at the meeting, told Dawn that coal was being smuggled to Afghanistan, therefore, alternative fuel was being used.

"We know that it is injurious to health, but we have no other option. If we import coal it is not cost effective," a brick-kiln owner said. The president requested the state minister to convey their concern to the quarters concerned regarding smuggling of coal to Afghanistan.

The Pepa director-general, Asif Shujah, said the agency had been warning brick-kiln owners against using tyres for fuel, but in vain. Meanwhile, talking to the delegation in the two-hour meeting, Mr Iqbal said the environment ministry and the brick- kiln industry in Pakistan would like to benefit from the Chinese.

The minister asked the visiting delegation to collaborate with Pakistan to set up a pilot brick processing plant at a minimum cost in order to attract brick kiln owners towards using the new technology.

The five-member Chinese technical delegation, led by Madam Han Xiaoquan head of North Centre for Environmental Sound Technology, China, is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of the environment ministry.

The delegation also comprises brick-kiln technology experts who will share the Chinese experience of changing the conventional brick kilns to cleaner technology.

During the meeting, a detailed presentation on the processing of bricks through cleaner technology was given by the delegation. The minister and other participants took keen interest in the new technology and requested the Chinese team to prepare a feasibility report for Pakistan at the earliest.

The meeting was also attended by the deputy commissioner Islamabad and representatives of the Capital Development Authority and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.