Observance of environmental laws is mandatory for all. The government is taking steps to address the environmental issues of the province on a priority basis. These views were expressed by Additional Chief Secretary of Environment and Climate Change Sindh Muhammad Hassan Iqbal on the occasion of his visit to the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).
On the occasion, KATI President Salman Aslam, KITE CEO Zubair Chhaya, Chairman Standing Committee on Environment Saleem-uz-Zaman, Senior Vice President Maheen Salman, Vice President Syed Farrukh Qandhari, Ehteshamuddin, Sheikh Fazal Jalil, SM Yahya, Masood Naqi, Additional Secretary Environment Ayan Mustafa Bhutto and others were also present.
Additional Chief Secretary Environment and Climate Change said that we are facing many challenges in terms of environmental improvement and steps are being taken to address the issues. Muhammad Ahsan Iqbal said that they are trying to make full use of modern technology to eliminate environmental pollution. He said that policy formulation would be implemented on a priority basis to bring innovation in environmental industrial development and address issues.
Earlier, KATI President Salman Aslam said that the industrialists want to give priority to adopting world-class environmental standards but it is difficult due to procedures and legal issues by the government.
Salman Aslam said that KATI is fully cooperating with the environment department for the full implementation of environmental laws.
President KATI said that if the environmental departments provided facilities to the industrialists, they would take all possible steps to ensure compliance with laws in the industries.
CEO KITE Zubair Chhaya demanded that EPA set up help desks in all industrial associations. Karachi needs more than 5 combined effluent treatment plants. 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. He said that old transport is still running in the city in which 50-year-old buses are being used which are increasing the pollution of the city by emitting smoke.
Saleem-uz-Zaman, chairman of the KATI Standing Committee on Environment, said that amendments were needed to the laws, adding that industrialists wanted to implement environmental laws but it was difficult to do so without amendments. He said that the obstacles to the completion of the Combined Effluent Treatment Plant in Karachi should be removed immediately and the development work should be expedited. Saleem-uz-Zaman said that the technical committee should be activated with the representation of the industrial zones of the city so that the policy could be formulated in consultation with all the stakeholders. He said that the department should be proactive so that it could carry out its environmental duties in the best possible way. He said that the institutions have to work together for the betterment of the environment. Eliminating economic and environmental problems requires scientific research that can provide solutions to the problems facing society.
“We do not want to harm the industry environment in any way. Our commitment is to protect and motivate the environment,” he said.
