ISLAMABAD, Oct 17: Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (PEPA) has imposed a ban on establishing new steel industries in the capital, the agency’s director-general, Asif Shujaa, said.

Talking to Dawn on Thursday, he said six firms had applied for setting up steel industries in the industrial area of the capital. However, their reques-ts were turned down by the PEPA.

The official said the Capital Development Authority (CDA) had also been directed to avoid issuing NOC for establishment of steel industry in the city.

Answering a question, he said the agency had been exerting pressure on existing steel industries in the capital to control hazardous smoke emission. In this regard, he added that warning notices had been issued to the owners of four steel mills located in the industrial area of I-9 and I-10.

The owners have been directed to install necessary equipment in their industries to control pollution, failing which stern action will be taken against them and their industries may be sealed under section 16 of the EPO, the official added.

The PEPA has its special courts where cases regard-ing industrial and other pollution are tried.

Mr Shujaa said the Sustainable Development Policy Institute was assisting the agency in preparing a study on pollution emitting industries to adopt pollution control technology.

Recently, the residents of sector I-9 and I-10 had lodged complaints with the agency against the owner of a steel mill, claiming that he did not use the pollution control plant, as a result of which the mill had become a major source of environmental pollution in the area.

The owners of steel industries have been directed to use good-quality scrap and avoid use of printed steel sheets and scrap with rubber and other material in the manufacturing process.

The official said two kinds of scrap were imported — bundled and shredded. “Shredded scrape is of good quality, but its cost is $10 more per ton, compared to the cost of bundled scrap, therefore steel mill owners prefer to use the latter,” he added.

Answering a question about other industries being run in Islamabad Industrial Area, the official said their working was satisfactory.

The CDA has also issued warning notices to the pollution emitting steel industries, he added.