EPA KP Declares Nowshera Oil Terminals Environmental Hazards
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially declared the oil terminals located in Nowshera as environmental hazards and issued formal notices to Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Shell. This move follows violations of environmental laws observed at the oil terminals situated in Pabbi, Nowshera.
According to the EPA, these violations were initially reported on November 27, 2025. Investigations revealed infractions of sections 6, 11, and 13 of the Environmental Protection Act 2014 at both the PSO and Shell facilities. A legal proceeding was launched against the companies after they failed to adequately address the concerns during a hearing held on April 14, 2026.
The EPA has directed both the companies to conduct a comprehensive environmental analysis over a three-month period, using laboratories approved by the agency. The companies are required to submit the report of their findings within 14 days to demonstrate compliance with environmental regulations.
In addition to these measures, the EPA has mandated the management of the depots to implement a temporary suspension of vehicle movements—specifically arrivals and departures—for 30 minutes during school opening and closing times to mitigate risks to children. The agency also demanded repairs to the community road that has suffered damage from heavy vehicles operating at the Taro Jabba Shell depot.
Failure to comply with these directives may result in hefty fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 70 million. The EPA has further stipulated a daily fine of Rs 100,000 in cases of repeated violations, emphasizing the seriousness of the environmental hazards posed by the terminals.
Notably, local residents have also taken legal action by petitioning the Peshawar High Court against the operation of these oil terminals, citing concerns about environmental pollution and public safety.
This development highlights the growing awareness and regulatory enforcement regarding industrial environmental impacts in the region, reflecting efforts to safeguard public health and the ecosystem in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.