KPEZDMC and PCSIR join hands for green initiative

PESHAWAR: In a move towards environment friendliness, sustainable development and technological advancement, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development & Management Company (KPEZDMC) and PCSIR Laboratories Complex here on Friday.

CEO KPEZDMC Javed Khattak represented his company while Director General of PCSIR Jahangir Shah was among the signatories. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Industries, Commerce and Technical Education Abdul Karim Tordher was the chief guest.

The agreement aims to facilitate the transfer of technology and establish a mechanical plant for the alternative use of marble and granite slurry. A communication said a vast amount of non-biodegradable waste was generated during mining and processing operations of dimensional stones such as marble. This, over the years, has become a global nuisance by damaging the environment. Therefore, it has become necessary to find a technique to safely dispose or reuse marble waste.

Marble processing units often grapple with the environmental issue of marble slurry, posing a significant challenge to sustainability. In response, KPEZDMC has initiated proactive strategies within the newly established Mohmand Economic Zone to tackle this concern.

KP is a major producer of marble products comprising of around 80 operational marble industries.The communication said the MoU signified a collaborative effort towards technological innovation and sustainable utilization of resources, initiated by the KP government.

It is expected to pave the way for economic development and environmental conservation through the efficient management of marble and granite waste.The collaboration seeks to acquire technical know-how for the installation of a mechanical plant at Mohmand Economic Zone in District Mohmand, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. PCSIR Laboratories Complex Peshawar has willingly agreed to transfer the necessary technology for this purpose.

The key measures being implemented are construction of sedimentation tanks, provision of dumping area, mining waste/industrial residual management, and slurry management plan. Addressing the gathering, the special assistant expressed elation over the achievement in spearheading the mission of Green KP and Clean KP.

He emphasized the utilization of waste materials in various other sectors, underscoring the significance of this agreement in advancing environmental conservation.The Special Assistant reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to fostering industrial growth and ensuring sustainable economic stability.Encouraging investors to capitalize on the incentives available for waste management across diverse business models, he invited them to participate in this transformative initiative.