950804

Anti-smoke

emission device

awaits govt

approval

ISLAMABAD: A device, invented by a Pakistani, fully effective to control the smoke emission from the vehicles, is waiting urgent decision by the government for its production on commercial basis.

The device, named after its inventor 'Faridi exhaust Reutilizing Device' was invented two decades ago in mid 70s. As the government is very actively struggling to create awareness on the environmental issues and the smoke emission from vehicles has become unmanageable, Faridi device becomes more important.

Mushtaq Ali Khan Faridi, the inventor, got the attention of Late Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto when he saw its film report on BBC television. Chairman Bhutto wrote him a letter in this regard also. Faridi received attention of a Canadian firm which took him to Canada and tested the device.

Faridi, received many hefty offers to sell the technology from Indian, Chinese and Turkish firms but he insisted on the interested parties to set up plant in Pakistan, which was not acceptable to them.

The device is very effective to control emission of smoke, carbon mono oxide, Hydro carbon besides silencing the noise. A device fitted vehicle shown better performance and the vehicle can pass through water with ease.

The inventor who cannot afford Rs 260 million, therefore, Fatima Jinnah Women Development and Environment Conservation Trust, appealed to the Prime Minister to provide interest-free loan for the production of the device for commercial use. The trust feels that the device will cost Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 for light and heavy vehicles, if it is produced through commercial loans.

The demonstration of the device was conducted before Chairperson Pakistan Environmental Protection Council, Asif Ali Zaradari. The Chairperson showed interest and assured that government may enter into fifty-fifty partnership in the manufacturing of the device.

The Trust thanked Asif Zaradari for including the clause asking for fitting an anti-smoke device in vehicles, in the Environment Act, 1995.-APP