EPA, hosiery industry agree on coordination for environmental compliance

FAISALABAD, Aug 27 (APP): Deputy Director Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Faisalabad Usman Azhar has said environmental and technical issues confronting industrialists should be resolved through mutual consultation, continuous coordination and technical guidance.

Addressing a meeting of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA), North Zone Faisalabad, he assured the hosiery sector of the EPA’s full support in addressing environmental concerns. He said the agency’s objective was not to harass industrialists but to ensure compliance with environmental laws while working with industry to protect the environment.

Usman Azhar said environmental protection, sustainable production and environmentally responsible supply chains were gaining increasing importance globally, making it essential for Pakistani industries to comply with both national laws and international environmental standards.

He noted that around 1,100 boilers were operating in Faisalabad and about 600 in Lahore, underscoring the need for modern and effective emission-control systems. He advised industrialists to study technologies successfully being used by other industries to control smoke and carbon emissions and adopt improved systems at their factories.

He also welcomed a proposal to install cameras in factories and provide access to relevant records, saying greater transparency could strengthen monitoring and establish an effective system of checks and balances during field operations.

PHMA Senior Vice Chairman Ahmed Afzal Awan urged the EPA to take the association into confidence before initiating direct action against member factories following complaints. He said sealing factories disrupted production, jeopardized export orders and could result in order cancellations and loss of foreign exchange.

He called for formal notices identifying alleged violations and providing reasonable time for corrective action before any sealing action. He said the export industry was already under pressure from high energy and production costs and intense international competition, but remained committed to environmental protection and compliance.

Altaf Khan, Director, Sadaqat Corporation (Private) Limited, highlighted technical issues related to emissions from boilers using coal and other solid fuels because of the limited availability of gas. He said temporary smoke could occur during boiler start-up and shutdown, as well as after power outages or technical faults. He urged authorities to assess such technical issues before sealing factories and allow reasonable time for corrective measures.

Former PHMA North Zone Chairman Muhammad Amjad Khawaja said the industry fully supported environmental protection, carbon-emission reduction and a clean environment. However, he stressed that pollution should not be attributed to the textile sector alone, noting the environmental impact of agriculture, oil production, fertilizers, pesticides and other sectors. He called for a comprehensive environmental strategy covering all relevant sectors.

Shakeel Jan also urged authorities to identify violations, issue warnings and provide opportunities for corrective action before taking strict measures. He said boiler-related emission problems arising from the compulsory use of solid fuels should be addressed on technical grounds.

The meeting agreed that continuous coordination between industry and the EPA was essential for effective implementation of environmental laws, technical guidance and timely resolution of environmental concerns. Participants stressed that environmental protection should go hand in hand with uninterrupted industrial production and exports.

At the conclusion, Altaf Khan presented a PHMA honorary shield to EPA Faisalabad Deputy Director Usman Azhar.