Peshawar: People living in Malakand have petitioned the court against the construction of a cement factory, a news source reported. The citizens of the area fear the environmental impact that the project will have, and have asked the court to look into the matter.
The petition was filed in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) by residents from the Palai area, specifically. The area in question contains many fruit trees that total to around 171,000 fruit-bearing plants. The residents of the area feel that these plantations may be damaged if the factory is built here.
“It is unlawful and without jurisdiction, as it is based on mala fide and ulterior motives as well as actions taken in complete disregard and negation of the law,” reads the petition filed by Ali Muhammad and 15 others.
“The Environmental Impact Assessment report has yet to be finalised then how can such a notification be issued for the acquisition of land for the factory,” the petition further read.
Palai is already said to be a water-stressed area, and a factory could further make matters worse.
