The Supreme Court on Tuesday wrapped up the Katas Raj suo motu case after the cement factories put forward a proposal that they would find an alternative water source and pay for the water they use until then.
Bestway Cement and DG Khan Cement proposed that they would submit Rs 2bn – Rs 1.5bn by Bestway and Rs 0.5bn by DG Khan – as bank security until they would be able to find an alternative source of water. They said they would build a small dam in the area, the outflow of which will be maintained in a way that the pond at Katas Raj is not adversely affected. They also proposed to pay Punjab government for the water that they use until then.
The CJP noted that the cement factories would have to improve the system of smoke exhaust keeping in view the global standards. “If needed, the court will have the smoke exhaust system checked,” he said.
He said that the factories should not cause pollution in the area and ensure the pond in Katas Raj temple is filled.
He also noted that the chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) – responsible for maintenance of religious properties and worship places of Hindus and Sikhs – should be from a minority group.
The court had, earlier this year, dismissed PML-N veteran Siddiqul Farooq from ETPB chairmanship.
“It is our responsibility to take care of worship places of minorities,” he said.
The CJP said that the pond should be filled through natural means while Justice Ijazul Ahsan noted that the water levels in the area would rise once water pumps at the factories are shut down.
Additional Advocate General Asma Hamid informed the court that until alternate arrangements for water provision are made, the Punjab government would charge the factories for water usage, the tariff for which is yet to be decided.
SC seeks reply on levy on mobile phone cards
The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the federal and the provincial governments as well as cellular companies to file reply within one week on high levy being charged on mobile phone cards.
A four-member Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a suo motu case.
The chief justice noted that 42 per cent was being charged from the cell phone users. Appearing on notice, Attorney General for Pakistan Ashtar Ausaf Ali explained that the levy is charged under the Customs Act 1969. He stated that out of 42 percent- withholding tax stands at 12.5 percent, sales tax at 19.5 per cent and the service charges 10 percent.
CJP takes notice of zero power generation by two plants
Also the chief justice on Tuesday took a notice of zero power generation by Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power and Bhikki power plants.
The chief justice sought a reply from the federal and Punjab government regarding zero power generation by the Quaid-e-Azam solar and Bhikki power plants.
“Bhikki Power Plant has not even produced a single megawatt of electricity,” Justice Nisar remarked as he took notice of the zero electricity generation by the two power plants.
Published in Daily Times, May 9th 2018.
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