Supreme Court of Pakistan issues notice to several companies

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued notices to several cement factory owners to appear on 20 April, with regards to clarifying their position on the drying out of the Shiri Katas Raj Temple Pond.

The pond has allegedly been depleted due to the operation of cement plants in the area, which may have removed the underground water. The court has requested the companies involved to develop a solution to the issue.

In a previous hearing of the case, directives were issued to Bestway-I, Bestway-II, DG Khan Cement and Dandot Cement Co, stating that no further expansion would be permitted without the approval of the court.

However, in this case all of the expansions could be saved, except that of Gharibwal Cement Co which is in close proximity to the temple but has not yet developed to a stage which would disrupt industry dynamics, according to a local brokerage house.