Pakistan: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has restricted Kohat Cement from operating its coal-fired power plant, citing ‘serious’ environmental and public health risks to nearby residents, according to The Express Tribune. The court also issued notices to the provincial government, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Health Department, and other concerned parties. In its written order, the court directed the EPPA to constitute an inspection team to examine the coal power plant in accordance with environmental laws and rules. The team has been ordered to submit a detailed report to the court within 15 days.
The cement plant is located close to residential areas in Babri Banda, with the coal power plant being constructed just 200m away. The lawyer contended that the existing cement plantasia is already causing pollution, and the addition of the coal power plant would worsen air quality and lead to the spread of ‘various diseases’ in the area. The court observed that, while the coal power plant is intended to supply electricity to the industrial unit, its operation is likely to have adverse effects on the health of local residents. According to the order, the project has already commenced work and is emitting pollution beyond the limits prescribed under environmental laws. The court was informed that, although an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) was approved earlier, the plant cannot commence operations without obtaining the necessary post-construction operational approval from the EPA, which has reportedly not been granted. The court ordered that the parties shall not operate the coal power plant without obtaining the required approval from the EPA. All parties have been directed to strictly comply with the court's orders.