KARACHI, Oct 6: Minister of State for Environment Maj (r) Tahir Iqbal has said that the government is committed to eliminate environmental pollution that is posing a serious threat to future generations of the country.
He was presiding over a meeting in the conference room of the city government here on Monday. The meeting discussed a water treatment plant project for the contaminated water discharged by industrial units.
The meeting was attended by City Nazim Naimatullah Khan, DCO Mir Hussain Ali, provincial secretaries, federal officials, representatives from industrial associations and officials of financial institutions.
The participants expressed their concern over spread of diseases, particularly hepatitis, due to pollution and emphasized the need for proper steps to get industries-discharged water treated before disposal.
An eleven-member committee, headed by the DCO, was constituted during the meeting. The committee has been asked to submit its report within 15 days.
The meeting was told that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to grant a loan for the treatment plant. However, the participants stressed on mobilizing local resources for the purpose.
The meeting also noted that the federal government had assured support to the project and pledged financial assistance in making environment pollution-free. It further noted that the federal government was considering a reduction in electricity and gas rate in order to provide relief to industrialists.
City Nazim said that the city government would provide land for the plant and extend all other facilities to industrialists.—PPI
