Respected Media outlets,
It is with great pain that we have to invite you to a public meeting tomorrow afternoon 19/02/2021 after Jummah (1:30pm) @ Chowk Usmania Masjid , Sarfraz Colony, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan
Issue: Highly hazardous air pollution created by factories in and around the vicinity of Sarfraz Colony, Al-Masoom Town, Siddiqia Mill Colony, Zulfiqar Colony & Allama Iqbal Colony Faisalabad. The same factories also contribute to the toxic chemical mixing with the ground water and abandonment of solid waste on or next to the roads in this neighbourhood. These issues and lack of attention from Environmental Agency ( neither from Federal, Provincial or Local government bodies)
Above violations are completely contrary to the policies and laws set forth below:
"Section 31 of the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997 (XXXIV of 1997)" u/s 10. Sampling testing and analysis - Sampling testing and analysis of effluents, gaseous emissions and waste shall be carried out in accordance with Environmental Sample Rules 2001"
"Functions of Pak-EPA u/s 6(2) - (a) Undertake inquiries of investigation into environmental issues, either of its own accord or upon complaint of any person or organisation.
"Power of Federal Agency u/s 7 (g) Summon & enforce the attendance of any person and require him to supply any information or document need for the conduct of any enquiry or investigation into any environmental issues.
"Power of Federal Agency u/s 7 (h) enter and inspect and under the authority of a search warrant issued by the environmental magistrate, search at any reasonable time, any land, building premises, vehicle, vessel or other place where or in which, there are reasonable ground to believe that an offence under this act has been or being committed;
under section 12 no EA (Environmental Assessment) has been carried out to determine the risks to the population.
Penalties of Environmental Magistrate - The Environmental magistrate HAS NEVER AUTHORIZED TO AWARD ANY COMPENSATION FOR LOSSES OR DAMAGE UNDER SECTION 17(5). Therefore no conviction has ever been ordered. No sentence to imprisonment has been given. No Order to close the factory has been given. No order to confiscate the factory machinery or equipment has ever been made.
Local population is suffering daily from the the toxic fumes, people of all ages are affected by diseases related to respiration, skin and liver function. We would like to get FULL MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THIS DISASTER caused by the negligent behaviours of the agency staff in support of the businesses who are violating all laws of the land.
We request the MEDIA HOUSES to take every measure necessary in the true spirit of the investigative journalism and freedom to provide unbiased intelligent information to wider population of Pakistan through its viewers.
Yours Sincerely,
Rizwan Mahmood
03236022722
Noman Mahmood
03219619845
Time : After Jummah
Date: 19/02/2021
Location: Provided in Google Maps Above ( Chowk Usmania Masjid , Sarfraz Colony, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan)