Lahore: DCO seeks report on chemical business in city

[Naveed Yaseen]

* DO Civil Defence says government aims to keep record of traders, stockists and manufacturers of chemicals
* DDO Environment says survey to be conducted to estimate environmental impact of business

Aaj Kal Report

LAHORE: Lahore District Coordination Officer (DCO) Sajjad Ahmed Bhutta has formed a two-member team, consisting of the district officer (DO Civil Defence) and the deputy district officer (DDO environment), to check 582 sale and stock points of chemicals, acids, compounds and explosive material in the city and report within a week.

Earlier, the City District Government Lahore (CDGL) had declared the manufacturing, sale stock and supply of chemicals without obtaining a licence as illegal. Applications had been called from the traders and stockists of chemicals for their registration. The team members have started physical verification of the stock in the light of reports, which had been called from the town municipal administration. According to the applications received by the CDGL, most of the chemical business is located in Akbari Mandi, Papar Mandi, Circular Road, outside Shah Alam Market, Lohari Gate, Bund Road and its adjoining areas. At least 100 chemical traders had attached the copies of their previous licences with their applications while the stockists of explosive material had attached the authorisation letters from the chief inspector of explosives.

Keeping record: DO-Civil Defence Mazhar Ahmed told Aaj Kal that the government’s steps were aimed at keeping the record of traders, stockists, shopkeepers, and manufacturers of chemicals and explosive material. The record of the purchasers would also be documented, he said, adding that it would also generate millions of rupees through registration and annual renewal fees. He said a system was being devised to issue licences, checking of factories and all related matters.

Environmental aspects: DDO-Environment Muhammad Younis Zahid said a survey would be conducted to check the environmental aspects of this business. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry has ordered that the sale and purchase of Potassium Chloride and other explosive material should be brought under a controlling authority. The order had been issued after the intelligence agencies reported that Potassium Chloride was used in suicide attacks in several cities of the country.

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