QUETTA: The Balochistan government on Wednesday sealed all illegally-run rice mills, stone-crushing plants and marble factories across the province for causing environmental hazard.

According to Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani, 100 rice mills and 41 stone-crushing plants had been shut down in different towns and cities of the province.

In a Twitter message, the chief minister said that the government had withdrawn NOCs (no objection certificates) of 16 crushing plants and five marble factories in Khuzdar. He further said that 21 illegal stone-crushing plants had been sealed in Quetta, nine in Turbat and six in Pishin.

“One-hundred rice mills, which were found being run illegally, have also been sealed,” the chief minister added. He said fines had also been imposed on BTS Towers.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2020