ISLAMABAD: Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid said on Friday that the government had closed down 45 of the 82 brick kilns in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and surrounding areas after finding them hazardous to health and e nvironment. Talking at the National Assembly during question-hour, he said the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) was monitoring the remaining 37 1(ilns to ascertain if they posed a threat to the environment or to people`s health.

The minister said the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration was meeting with brick kiln owners, trying to convince them to move the kilns to other, better suited locations.

However, the owners are demanding compensation.

Mr Hamid warned that if brick kilns were found to be violating the rules they `will be closed down instantly`.

He clarified that there were no 1(ilns or steel mills in residential areas in Islamabad.

`However, it is a known fact that the steel mills in Islamabad industrial area and the brick kilns in periurban areas are polluting the environment,` he added.

In reply to a question, the minister said the Met Office is now equipped with a European software for floodforecasting and that this has improved the efficiency of the department.

He added that the National Disaster Management Authority, the Federal Flood Commission, Provincial Irrigation Departments and Pakistan Communication for Indus Water were also involved in flood management. Replying to another question, Mr Hamid said there was a ban on production of non-degradable plastic bags, however the ban could not be implemented. APP