Peshawar: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
government is set to amend the province’s existing legal framework to introduce
heavy fines for littering, sanitation and sewerage offences in the tourist
destinations of Galiyat, according to news sources.
To this effect, the provincial government has formulated the Galiyat Development Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which will be presented before the legislature today (Monday).
Reportedly, the government will be making some significant changes to the Galiyat Development Authority Act, 2016, through this bill; the bulk of which will be comprised of new fines and a schedule of offences. This latter framework is expected to list some 38 offences which will be punishable by a fine of up to PKR 1 million.
Earlier, the authorities concerned had introduced nominal fines in Galiyat, but without a legal framework to back their (effective) enforcement.
The government, however, has now decided to adopted a stricter response and impose fines to discourage both locals and visitors from polluting the area. Also, the offences mentioned in the new bill will be both cognisable and non-billable.
The amendment in the law defines littering as the discarding of ‘all waste material, cans, refuse, garbage, bottles, trash, dead animals, or debris’ of ‘every kind and description which are perilous to the environment’.
PKR 3, 000 on loud music or radio, drum beating, tom-tom beating, horn-blowing, or sounding instruments or utensils in contravention of any general or special prohibition.
PKR 12,000 fine for slaughtering animals or selling meat in a place that is not specified for the same purpose.
PKR 2,000 fine for keeping ferocious animals (dogs) in residential areas or taking them to a public place without a leash.
PKR 50,000 fine for obstructing or tampering with any main water or sewerage lines.
PKR 25,000 fine on non-disposal of building materials and debris.
PKR 20,000 for establishing speed breakers on public streets and roads
PKR 3,000 for cursing, shouting and using abusive languages that might cause distress to the locals and disrupt public peace.
The government is also expected to table the Kaghan Development Authority Bill, 2020 during the assembly’s proceedings to develop the valley and other adjacent areas of Mansehra District.
Hazafa reveres the art of writing and has been turned into a property enthusiast by profession. Her daily survival kit includes; tea, coffee, keyboard and paperbacks.
