Cellular towers installation in residential areas stopped

The petitioner added their towers were set up under the Companies Ordinance 1984 after obtaining a license from the government of Pakistan. They added they have set up BTS throughout Pakistan with the permission of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. They said when they were about to finish setting up of their 22 meters high tower in Faisalabad and Kot Lakhpat, the DO (Environment) sealed the BTS as well as the equipment. They added the principle of natural justice was not followed, as the petitioner was not issued with a notice.  They said the DO wrongly invoked section 12 of Environmental Act 1997 before sealing their equipment. They added the petitioner and other cellular companies had been in the business of setting up towers since 1992 whereas the Environmental Act came into existence in 1997.

They said the legislature had excluded the setting up of tower from the act. They added they were not required to file Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) unless the project was likely to cause an adverse environmental effect.

LHC admits petition

for hearing

A full bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan Wednesday admitted to regular hearing the appeal filed by Govt College University, Lahore, against the award of gold medal to a girl student through a previously decided case by the Lahore High Court.