Commissioner directs not to impose redundant objections on setting up of new projects.

RAWALPINDI -- Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaqat Ali Chatha on Thursday directed the officials of the Environment Committee not to impose redundant objections on setting up any new projects as the growth of economic activities was essential in the prevailing situation in the country's interest.

He expressed these views while presiding over the Environment Committee meeting for approving the setting up of petrol pumps, poultry sheds, commercial buildings and others.

He directed to ask the aspirant who required NOC for establishing of new petrol pump and a poultry farm to deposit 1000 saplings or the amount of Rs. 20,000 to the Forest Department, who will be responsible for planting saplings around the premises of the pump and poultry farm.

He said it was necessary to mitigate the environmental effects of that pump or farm on its surrounding.

Liaqat directed that any petrol pump, poultry farm, cold storage and others should only be allowed to operate once the NOC is cleared from an environmental point of view.

It is recommended that NOC should be taken from the surrounding population and especially the neighbours.

On the occasion, 49 cases were presented in the meeting, of which 26 cases were from Rawalpindi district, five from Jhelum district, 15 from Attock district and three from Chakwal district.

The Commissioner reviewed the cases in detail and deferred 12 cases due...