SC asks KP govt to take action against illegal crushing, mining units

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday sought details from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government pertaining to stone crushing and mining units, reportedly operative even after their lease was terminated or matured.

The court also directed the provincial government to take stern action against all the illegal crushing or mining units without discrimination. A two-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali heard suo moto case of stone crushing and mining in Margalla Hills.

The chief justice observed that if a government institution performs under the ambit of law, then there is no need to take suo moto notice over an issue.

In pursuance of the court’s earlier order, secretary Mineral Development Department of KP submitted a report, mentioning that no illegal crushing or mining activity was taking place in the province. The secretary informed that a ban was imposed on stone crushing and mining in Abbottabad and Lora.

To a court query, additional advocate general of KP said that it is not possible to impose a ban on crushing or mining in the whole province whereas no complaint about environment pollution has been received so far.

The court, however, observed as to how a complaint would be launched about environment pollution when institution and individuals are taking care of them with the connivance of each other.

The court, while turning down the report of secretary Mineral Development in the instant matter, directed the provincial government to ensure that every crushing or mining unit should retain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Mineral Development Department of the province in future.

Meanwhile, the court directed the provincial government to take stern action against all the illegal cursing or mining units without discrimination and adjourned the hearing for date-in-office.