The mountain eating FECTO Cement has obtained another 30 years extension in its lease which allows it to keep on crushing the precious Margalla Hills in the capital city. The lease agreement had always remained controversial since it was granted to the cement factory by former dictator General Zia-ul-Haq.
According to well-placed sources in the Capital Development Authority (CDA), the cement factory falls by all means in the National Park area consisting of the Margalla Hills, the Rawal Dam and the adjoining green zones. Not only does the cement producing factory fall in the premises of the National Park, but its controversial stone crushing activity is also constantly eroding land, polluting the environment and causing deforestation in the Margalla Hills.
According to sources, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration initially resisted extending the lease period. “But it had no plea to block the extension, when FECTO received No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the CDA which was responsible for the maintenance of the National Park,” the sources added.
The sources said that the CDA was also reluctant to grant the NOC initially owing to the widespread opposition to the stone crushing and blasting activities of the factory for its stone quest in the Margalla Hills.
The sources added that the decision seemed as if it had come about by waving a magic wand, which could include giving away lofty bribes and using heavy influence with the chief executive of the country.
A formal communication originating from the Planning Wing of the CDA informed the Directorate of Industries and Mineral Development that the extension issue had been re-examined by the authority. A copy of the letter could be found in the office of the Chief Commissioner Islamabad. “The extension in the period of the mining lease may be processed as per the provisions of the Forest Act 1927 Section-26, Landscape Ordinance 1966 Section-4, (and) Wildlife Ordinance 1979 Section-21,” concluded the letter.
The sources further said that the CDA informed the ICT about the relevant laws for extension, meaning that the CDA had no objection over the extension.
On the contrary environmental experts in the relevant government departments argued that the FECTO cements falls in the National Park area. “And there is a universally accepted methodology for stone crushers to operate in such a critical area,” they added. “Blasting is simply prohibited and crushers are required to break the rocks with machines,” the experts observed. “Besides the usage of machines instead of blasting, the crushers and miners are required to go step by step and also do the required plantation. At least eleven trees are to be planted in place of one,” they maintained.
When contacted for further information regarding the issue, news agencies got a bizarre response from all the relevant offices including that of the CDA as well as the ICT.
“The CDA is not a competent authority to issue lease grant for the crushing at Margalla Hills National Park (MNHP). Rather, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration may deal with such matter,” said CDA spokesperson Ramzan Sajid.
Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Amer Ali Ahmed also expressed ignorance about the issue. In a text message reply to the queries of news agencies, he advised them to probe the matter with Chief Commissioner Office.
When approached, Director Industries Malik Afsar in the Chief Commissioner Office replied that the Chief Commissioner office was not the concerned authority to issue lease for crushing anywhere in the federal capital’s territory.
He said that the office maintained a record of the rural area’s land. In a reply to a question, he said that issuance of such a lease was the responsibility of the CDA. He added that the office may issue NOC and license to any applicant but only after settled lease agreement between the CDA and the concerned party were finalized. He also claimed that the chief commissioner office had not yet received any application from the FECTO Cement seeking extension or NOC in this regard.
