CM Mahmood Khan for action to control environmental degradation in Swat

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Sunday urged the need for immediate action and preventive measures to control environmental degradation in Swat district, directing the authorities concerned to conduct proper scientific study of the environment for the purpose.

“Rapid deterioration of the environment is an alarming situation. And it’s time to act as there is no space for further delays,” he told a meeting at Chief Minister’s House here, said a handout.

The chief minister also directed that a massive awareness campaign regarding environmental degradation should be led by district administration Swat. He added that electronic, print and social media along with mosques, hujras and all other relevant forums and stakeholders should be involved to create awareness among people regarding negative impacts of environmental degradation.

The meeting was informed that major causes and types of environmental degradation in Swat include air pollution, water contamination, soil erosion and pollution, deforestation, population explosion, urbanisation, industrialisation, use of plastic bags/products, noise pollution and climate change.

The chief minister directed to implement all the decisions taken at the meeting, directing that a known firm should be tasked with conducting a proper scientific study of environment.

He also agreed with the need of proper legislation regarding protection of river Swat further directing that legislation should also be done for proper filtration of industrial and hotel waste by concerned owners.

Early repair of transformer sought

The residents of Shagai Hindkiyan asked the chief executive Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) to repair their faulty electric transformer.

Sabz Ali Shah, Sabir Shah, Kiramat Shah, Muhammad Azim and Tasawwar Shah said that the 50KV electric transformer for Mohallah Saidan had been out of order for the last six days and the dwellers were facing tremendous problems.

They said that the life had also been paralysed due to disruption of electricity, adding, the students preparing for examination were also being affected to a great extent. “Someone told us that the repair of the transformer would cost Rs40,000, but the dwellers are unable to make such a huge contribution for its repair as most of them were poor,” Sabz Ali Shah said.

Obituary

The elder sister of Nadeem Illahi Malik passed away on Sunday who was laid to rest after her funeral prayers in Hayatabad Phase-III.

She was the wife of Riaz Ahmad Siddiqui, mother of Fahad Siddiqui and also sister of Saleem Illahi Malik and Naseem Illahi Malik. Her qul will be offered in Hayatabad on Tuesday.