Illegal cement unit sealed on Sargodha-Faisalabad Road

SARGODHA: Authorities have shut down an unauthorised cement manufacturing facility operating as M/s Red Bull Cement on the Sargodha-Faisalabad Road after a joint enforcement action involving multiple government departments.

According to the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), the operation was carried out by the Federal Board of Revenue, the Environmental Protection Agency and the district industries department. The association said the agencies issued written orders and took action against the unit.

During an inspection, officials found the plant was functioning without the required legal approvals, registration, environmental clearance and other mandatory permits. The unit was then sealed and its operations were suspended.

APCMA welcomed the move, saying action against illegal operators helps curb unlawful business activity and supports manufacturers complying with the law. It added that such units cause losses to the national exchequer through tax evasion and distort competition by avoiding the environmental, quality, safety and regulatory obligations that registered cement producers are required to meet.