FECTO Cement has obtained another 30 years’ extension to its lease. The lease agreement has been controversial since it was granted to the cement factory by former dictator, General Zia-ul-Haq. According to sources in the Capital Development Authority, the cement factory falls in a National Park Area consisting of the Margalla Hills, the Rawal Dam, and the adjoining green areas. The factory has also been causing concern due to alleged erosion of land and environmental pollution resulting in deforestation of the Margallas.

Sources told the Pakistan Observer that the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Administration initially resisted extending the lease period. “But it had no plea to block the extension when the Fecto received No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) which is responsible for maintenance of the National Park,” the sources added.??According to the sources, the CDA was also reluctant to grant the NOC initially owing to the widespread opposition to the stone crushing and blasting for the stone quest in the Margallas.