QUETTA: Balochistan’s minister for environment and information technology has directed the authorities to strictly implement the Environment Protection Act, 2012 to ensure a pollution-free atmosphere in the province.

Prince Ahmed Ali Ahmed­zai said this while presiding over a meeting at the Environ­mental Protect Agency (EPA) secretariat on Tuesday.

Environment Secretary Ghulam Muhammad Sabir, EPA Director General Capt Tariq Zehri, EPA Deputy Director Muhammad Ali Batur and Ghulam Rasool Jamali and others also attended the meeting.

Green Force Balochistan’s Haji Rizwan Ali briefed the minister about protection from environmental pollution and creating an environment friendly system. He said that trees would be planted in the industrial area, including 200,000 trees will be planted along the Regional Cooperation for Development highway in the Lasbela and Hub dam area.

He said that the DG Khan cement factory would help the department in this regard and the project would take shape very soon. He added that various steps had been taken to make the green force effective.

“We have achieved a lot of success and have punished those who were found guilty of violating environmental laws,” said Mr Ali, adding that over 70 godowns had been sealed on the orders of the Balochistan High Court on Sabzal Road while a biodegradable system had also been introduced to prepare shopping bags.

He claimed that steps were also taken to create a pollution free natural atmosphere in the province.

“All laws meant for creating a pollution free environment should be implemented,” said Mr Ahmedzai, adding that before breaking down abandoned ships in Gadani, the gas free certificate should be strictly checked for the safety of labourers. He further said that a burns unit must be established at the Gadani ship breaking yard.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2018