SC seeks permission letters for water boring from cement factories

ISLAMABAD, Apr 23 (APP):Supreme Court Monday sought permission letters for water boring allotted to the cement factories while summoning concerned officials of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that allowed them.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the suo moto case regarding drying up of Katas Raj Temple pond.
During course of proceedings, Chief Justice observed that owners of the cement factories should fulfill their corporate duties instead of just making money, adding, problems of the residential areas should be resolved.
Due to cement factories Katas Raj pond had been tried, it was matter of public interest, the court would examine the matter deeply and if possible then responsible elements had to pay charges of the water used in last three years, the CJ added.
Chief Justice, Saqib Nisar remarked he would have closed down the cement factories depleting the underground water level in Chakwal.
Justice Bandial said “if the factory owners and government fail to resolve the matter, the court retains the option of closing down factories” adding in the entire country, underground water was utilised without any cost.
Counsels for the cement factories apprised the bench that they hired experts to find out alternate options instead of underground water but its cast would be in billions.
The Chief Justice remarked that earlier underground water level was at 50 fits but now it was reached at hundreds fits below, factories used water worth of billions and now be ready for pay its charge, he added.
“Satths (Owners) has no mercy for public, they just looking for their interests,” he said adding why not this matters should referred to the National Accountability Bureau.
The chief justice remarked that the court will not allow human life to be sacrificed to run factories, adding that,”a factory can be shifted from one place to another but how people could shift their homes.
Subsequently, the court adjour further hearing till April 24.