Sindh vows to resolve environmental issues

Official says modern technology being used to eliminate pollution

KARACHI:

Adherence to the environmental laws is mandatory for all sectors and the government is taking steps to address environmental issues of the province on a priority basis, said Sindh Additional Chief Secretary of Environment and Climate Change Muhammad Hassan Iqbal.

Speaking to the members of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) on Monday, Iqbal said that Pakistan was facing many hurdles in way of smooth environmental improvement. “We are trying to make full use of modern technology to eliminate environmental pollution” he added.

“Policy formulation will be done on a priority basis to steer innovation in environmental and industrial development and address the related issues.”

Earlier, KATI President Salman Aslam stated that industrialists wanted to prioritise adoption of world-class environmental standards however it was difficult due to procedural and legal hurdles from the government’s side.

He added that his association was offering all-out cooperation to the environment department for across the board implementation of environmental laws. “If the environmental departments provided facilities to the industrialists, they would take all possible steps to ensure compliance with laws in the industries,” said KATI President.

Speaking on the occasion, Korangi Industrial Trading Estate CEO Zubair Chhaya demanded the Environmental Protection Agency to set up help desks in all industrial associations. “Karachi needs more than five combined effluent treatment plants,” he said.

“If the industrial activities in Karachi have more governmental issues than in other cities of the country, then the environment department must fulfill the responsibility and focus on providing facilities in Karachi.” KATI Standing Committee on Environment Chairman Saleem uz Zaman stressed the need for amendments to the laws.

“Industrialists want to implement environmental policies but it is difficult to do so without amendments,” he added. Obstacles in the way of completion of effluent treatment plant in Karachi must be removed immediately and the development work should be expedited, said Zaman.

Zaman suggested activating a technical committee with the representation of the industrial zones of the city so that the policy could be formulated in consultation with all the stakeholders.

“The department should be proactive so that it can carry out its environmental duties in the best possible way,” he added. “The institutions have to work together for the betterment of the environment.” “Scientific research is required to eliminate economic and environmental problems of the society,” said Zaman