President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Kashif Anwar has urged the Environment Protection Department (EPD) to cease all coercive actions against steel industry furnaces until standardised scrubbers are finalised. Speaking to a delegation from the All Pakistan Small Steel Re-Rolling Association, he said the industry, particularly the steel re-rollers, is already in danger of going out of business because of significant financial losses.

He said the Industries, Commerce, Investment & Skills Development Department (ICISDD) has established a committee made up of government, business, and academic representatives to discuss the requirements for providing financial and technical assistance to industries, as well as for the installation of emission control systems.

The discussions will be held in accordance with the directives given by the Environment Protection Department to steel mills, steel furnaces, and other industries with boilers, he added. He reiterated that factory closures should be stopped while the process is being carried out. Meanwhile, the LCCI president also urged the businessmen to get ready to install scrubbers.

The Small Industries Development Board's intention to lend up to Rs10 million to five sectors for the installation of scrubbers is promising, he added. Kashif Anwar requested that the pertinent associations contact their members to ensure compliance and avoid an EPD complaint. He also urged the relevant government agencies to hold an awareness-raising event at the LCCI regarding environmental and other issues.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk