LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Population Welfare and Environment Protection Begum Zakia Shahnawaz has said the government is taking all-out measures to comply with the international environmental standards, rules and regulations as it could give immense benefits to the economy besides controlling huge number of demises caused by the pollution.
She was speaking at a seminar on “Environment of Success-Not Cost but Opportunity” jointly organized by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Punjab Environment Protection Department, Punjab Environment Protection Department and World Wildlife Fund, here at the Lahore Chamber.
“We don’t want to tease you, we want to take business community on board with due honor and respect to evolve a joint strategy to cope with the environmental challenges”, Provincial Minister said.
She said the compliance to environmental standards is a prerequisite to do business with the developed world therefore the Environment Department is working tirelessly to educate the business community on these standards. She said the compliance with the environmental rules and regulations and standards would help enhance exports and alleviate poverty therefore we should join hands to achieve this goal. The minister said unchecked discharge of untreated waste water into waterways could be a cause of pollution to canals and rivers, which could result in increase in diseases like cancer and hepatitis.
Zakia Shahnawaz said the environmental issues were of prime importance therefore the industrialists, particularly the export-oriented industry, should tackle them on priority. She said the Punjab government would extend every possible help to the industrial sector in this regard. She said that the government is encouraging the establishment of low-cost water treatment plants and plants to control carbon emission.
LCCI President Abdul Basit said the Punjab Environment Protection Department should help business community and give awareness of the environment standards. He said the industrial areas should be marked for water treatment plants. He said the industry cannot afford water treatment plants as they involve a very high cost therefore the government should come forward and install water treatment plants in all the industrial areas. He said the environment friendly industries could easily get buyers at international markets. He also suggested that industrial units, having environment compliant, should be given exemptions in duties and taxes that would encourage other industries to implement environment-related rules and regulations.
Abdul Basit said the fast changing global economic scenario has provided us an opportunity to increase our exports to the desired levels but the desired goal cannot be achieved without having compliance with the international environmental standards.
LCCI Senior Vice-President Amjad Ali Jawa and Vice-President Muhammad Nasir Hameed Khan said the Lahore Chamber is taking all possible measures to educate its members about the environmental standards in vogue the world over.
Tehmina Saeed Chaudhry said environmental pollution is a common problem that demands joint approach. She said the environmental changes, causing agriculture disasters, floods and drought, should be taken very seriously.
Head of Human Resource Department Waki Durrani was given a detailed presentation on environment of success and called for joint efforts.
