In a significant move to combat the worsening smog crisis, the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has shut down several non-compliant marble factories near Sector B-17 for severe environmental violations that contribute heavily to the capital’s deteriorating air quality.
The enforcement action, conducted in collaboration with the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration, targeted marble and granite processing units that had persistently flouted environmental laws. According to a press release issued Thursday, these facilities had repeatedly ignored official notices issued under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997.
‘The crackdown is part of Pak-EPA’s ongoing efforts to curb smog and reduce dust emissions from marble and granite industries, which are major contributors to poor air quality in and around the federal capital,’ stated Muhammad Saleem Shaikh, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination.
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Pak-EPA Director General Nazia Zeb Ali and led by Director (EIA/Monitoring) Khalid Mehmood Chadhar and Deputy Director (Legal/Enforcement) Muhammad Ramazan. An inspection team, accompanied by a magistrate, confirmed the continued breaches of environmental standards at the sites.
DG Nazia Zeb Ali highlighted the severe public health risks posed by the industrial operations. She explained that the excessive dust and fine particulate matter generated during marble cutting and polishing are substantial sources of ambient air pollution, drastically reducing visibility and posing health hazards, particularly during the ongoing smog season.
Following the inspection, the non-compliant establishments were sealed, and Environmental Protection Orders (EPOs) were issued to address the sustained violations.
‘Industrial units must adopt pollution-control technologies and strictly comply with National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) to safeguard public health and Islamabad’s environment,’ Nazia Zeb Ali asserted. She affirmed that the agency would maintain its strict enforcement posture to ensure cleaner air for the region.
The agency’s head reaffirmed a commitment to rigorous enforcement and urged all industrial operators to transition toward environmentally sustainable methods, aligning with the government’s broader anti-smog strategy.