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Islamabad: The Federal Minister for Environment Samina Khalid Ghurki has said that Industrial sector should play its due role to meet environmental obligations in the country. It must take step ahead to bring green revolution in the country by applying environment friendly practices. She expressed these views while chairing a meeting on the use of shredded tyres as alternate fuel in cement industry here today.
Acting Secretary Environment Farid Ullah Khan, Provincial Director Generals Pak-EPA High officials of the Ministry of Environment, Representatives of FBR, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and other relevant departments attended the meeting.
Federal Minister said that Environment should be the top priority of every sector of the country. Industrial sector has to play pivotal role in providing the desired stimulus and support to the efforts of the Government to successfully overcome the environmental challenges. She said that rapidly changing socio-economic scenario, places greater responsibilities on the business community to set and pursue environmental strategies that will generate self sustaining environmental processes. The Minister was of the view that rapidly increasing volume of hazardous emissions so of industrial activities are threatening for the life cycle on this planet however, serious initiatives must be taken for introducing environment friendly technologies in the country,
During the meeting, it was observed that Shredded tyres as alternative fuel does release hazardous pollutants. International experience indicates that using tyres to generate energy is environmentally sound if it is carried out under controlled conditions such as complete burning of tyres, adequate air pollution controls and proper maintenance of plants among others. It was also observed that National Environmental Quality Standards should be taken in account and there is dire need to revise them on priority basis.
On this occasion, viability of Tyre Derived Fuel (TDF) was observed as fuel. It was also agreed that there is need to develop a regulatory framework and policy guidelines in this regard. It was also pointed out that there is need to develop specific standards for up-gradation and modernization of industry for the use of TDF. Proper and affective monitoring system should also be initiated and in this regard EPAs should be equipped with latest technologies and skills in relevant sectors to improve and enhance the capacity of the EPAs.
While sharing different proposals, It was also suggested in the meeting that Ministry of Commerce will revise the import policy with the condition subject to the NOC from Ministry of Environment for the import of TDF in Pakistan, being the National focal Point of Basel Convention. Moreover, a committee headed by DG Pak-EPA Mr. Asif Shuja comprising members of Pak EPA and provincial EPAs was formed to develop parameters and new (National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQSs) for TDF.
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