LHC allows govt to build Sahiwal plant

LAHORE

Punjab government Monday assured the Lahore High Court that pollution charge rules and other environmental laws would be observed in letter and spirit during the construction of Sahiwal Coal Power Plant (Qadirabad). 

Additional advocate general Shan Gull appeared before the court on behalf of the government and submitted an undertaking. He stated that pollution charge rules would be strictly complied with as “sulphur dioxide” emissions out of the coal power plant would result in rising pollution levels. 

Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh showed satisfaction over the government’s undertaking that the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency would perform its statutory obligations and would function autonomously and follow the pollution charge rules 2001 with respect to the functioning of the coal power plant. 

The judge disposed of the petition filed by Zubair Niazi with directions and allowed the government to continue with the construction of the power plant at Sahiwal subject to strict compliance with the environmental laws applicable in the province. 

Earlier, Advocate Sheraz Zaka on behalf of the petitioner argued that the construction of the coal power plant had been commenced without compliance with National Environmental Quality Standards and pollution charge (Industry Calculation) rules 2001.

The counsel argued that there was no doubt that the country at present was facing energy shortage and the need of the hour required that power projects should not be curtailed if the government gave adequate assurances with respect to ecological conservation and compliance of the regime with the environmental laws. 

The counsel said rather deploying cheaper means to produce electricity from hydroelectric power stations the government’s policy of producing electricity from the coal would be available at an expensive rate.

At this juncture, Justice Sheikh observed that the court could not interfere in policy matters of the government. It was only supposed to see whether the development projects had been accomplished in a transparent and fair manner or not, the judge said and disposed of the petition.