SC orders closure of three crushing plants in KP

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered closure of three crushing plants in Suraj Gali area of Khanpur, District Haripur.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case related to stone crushing plants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) that were causing pollution to in area.

The court sought complete record from the KP government pertaining to other crushing stone plants with the direction to give it the factual position.

The court ordered to close down crushing stone plants established in Sraj Gali in Khanpur — Haji Khattab Gul, Niazi One and Niazi Two of former PTI provincial minister for Labour and Human Resource Ansar Majeed Niazi.

During the hearing, Justice Mansoor asked the KP additional advocate general as to whether the crushing plants were meeting criteria.

The KP law official submitted that the plants were not meeting the criteria. He further informed the court that the provincial government had already closed those crushing plants which were established near the population.

He requested the court not to issue general order for closure of crushing plants as the order would have a drastic impact on investment opportunities.

Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel for owners of Stone Crusher Plants, submitted before the court that local people deliberately create nuisance, adding that in order to reduce pollution, they have spent Rs150 million on modern machinery a while ago.

“What machinery was bought for Rs150 million?” Justice Mansoor asked Barrister Aitzaz, adding that he should submit until Monday the name and function of the machinery from the paper book.

Justice Mansoor further said that those crushers who meet the criteria, should file an application.

Meanwhile, Chaudhry Imran Hassan, counsel for local citizens, told the court that the relevant law pertaining to establishing of crushing plants had also been challenged before the court hence the main case should be kept pending. Later, the court adjourned further hearing of the case for date-in-office (indefinite period).