With the suo moto notice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on ever-growing environmental pollution, the licenses of at least 270 industrial units and land leases of more than 370 industrial units, located within the jurisdiction of Sindh Industrial and Trading Estates (SITE) Limited, have been cancelled.
Moreover, a fine of Rs 500 million has been imposed on the financially bogged down SITE Ltd that is now seeking a bailout package from the Sindh chief minister to pay off the fine, well-placed sources told Pakistan Today. The apex court had taken a suo moto notice of the increasing environmental pollution in the city and constituted a high-level review committee headed by Additional Attorney General KK Agha.
The committee reviewed in detail the land leases, allotment of lands for the establishment of industries and the environmental pollution caused by the industrial units. The committee held several meetings with the officials of the commerce and industries department of the Sindh government and the environmental experts to take strict measures against the polluting units.
Sources said the committee had imposed a fine of Rs 500 million on the SITE Ltd for violating the Industries Act. And, the authorities responsible for issuing permits to industries have also been warned that the licenses and leases of more industries would also be cancelled if the authorities do not refrain from violating the Industries Act. The licenses of more than 270 industrial units and land leases of some 370 units have been cancelled and the industries have also been instructed to take measures to contain the environmental pollution in future, the sources added.
While the SITE Ltd had cancelled the licenses and the land leases, the industrial body (SITE) seemed disturbed on how to manage funds to clear off the fine imposed by the committee.
In this regard, the SITE Ltd has forwarded a summary to the chief minister asking for a bail out package of Rs 500 million to pay the fine, the sources said.
Moreover, the sources said that political appointments had overburdened the SITE Ltd as more than 1,900 employees were working in the body against its actual strength of around 280 officials. These appointments had been made by the coalition partner purely on the political ground that has badly affected the financial savings of the SITE. Now, the SITE Ltd is facing serious financial crisis to even pay the salaries to its all the old and new politically appointed employees, they said. “Yes, the licenses of more than 270 industrial units and land leases of some 370 units have been cancelled with the orders of the high-level committee. The SITE Ltd has yet to pay the fine as it has no funds for the fine amount”, Deputy Director Land, SITE Ltd, Hanif Solangi told Pakistan Today.
However, the official, who also holds the charge of secretary, refused to give further details saying the SITE Ltd chief engineer was dealing with the issue and he could be asked for further version. Pakistan Today repeatedly visited the office of the chief engineer, however, he remained unavailable for further comments.
