KARACHI, April 10: The orders to shift mobile phone towers from residential areas are given keeping in mind their hazardous impact on public health and environment.

This was stated by Sindh Environment and Alternative Energy Minister Dr Sagheer Ahmed on Tuesday during a meeting with the official of his department.Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the installation of these towers in residential areas had put health of upcoming generations at stake which needed to be rectified.

He mentioned satellite, TV, radio, boosters and wireless towers too emit waves but all these towers were installed outside residential areas. Dr Ahmed said that the present government was taking revolutionary measures for creating a pollution-free environment.

He said that the decision of shifting of cellphone towers from residential localities was based on purely health and environmental grounds.

Dr Ahmed said notices were issued to cellphone companies to remove their installations within the given time frame. Other wise, he added strict action would be taken and heavy fines would be imposed.

He said a campaign would be launched to educate the masses on the ways to protect themselves from dangerous electromagnetic waves.—PPI