The Peshawar High Court of Pakistan dismissed writ petitions filed against the establishment of 16 cement factories.

The petitioners sought a court order to declare that the provincial government had decided unlawfully to allow the construction of new cement plants in the province.

However, counsel for the plant owners, submitted that all the legal requirement had been fulfilled and international environmental protection laws and standards are being adopted as the new plants are being established in Malakand and Haripur districts. They also highlighted employment opportunities provided by the production facilities.