Claims that depot is dangerously close to residential areas, linked to health risks, risks
A petition has been filed in the Peshawar High Court seeking closure of an oil depot located in Nowshera Pabi residential area, Tarro Jaba.
The petition, filed by local Tehsil and village council presidents Gohar Ali and Taimoor Iqbal, names the federal government, the provincial government, the chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and several other authorities as respondents.
The petition highlights concerns over the oil depot’s proximity to a government high school and nearby residential areas, with large oil tankers frequently seen near the school gates on GT Road.
According to the petitioners, this presents a significant risk of a major accident, given that the oil depots are located in a densely populated area.
The petition further claims that the oil depot, which houses the facilities of Pakistan State Oil and other private companies, does not have the necessary no-objection certificate (NOC) from the district administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
It also alleges that the depot’s operations contribute to the spread of disease in the area, affecting public health.
In light of these concerns, the petitioners asked the court to declare the oil depot unsafe and order its relocation to a safer and more suitable site.
The case is currently being heard by the Peshawar High Court.
