KARACHI, Aug 7: The City Council on Saturday taking serious notice of the rapidly growing pollution in the city environment, called upon the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to rectify the situation.

The council's session held with Naib City Nazim Tariq Hasan in the chair was informed that there were about 45,000 rickshaws plying on the city roads, which were a major cause of air and noise pollution.

The council took up the environment issue after tabling of the Environment Committee's report by the committee chairperson, Meharunnisa Baloch.

Najmi Alam, participating in the debate on the subject, said that almost all mini-buses operating in the city did not meet the criteria of public transport standards in a metropolis.

"Majority of them (public transport vehicles) are plying on fake fitness certificates, obtained by greasing the palms of personnel of concerned department," he maintained and demanded re-issuance of fitness certificates after thorough checking of these vehicles, ensuring that the criteria set by the government was being met.

Mr Alam informed the session that municipal and industrial waste had completely destroyed a park in Boat Basin area and added that accumulation of waste was continuing unabated in the park.

Engineer Abdul Aziz, drawing the attention of the house to the issue of untreated water and industrial waste being discharged into the sea, said that it might also affect the country's exports, as the international buyers were sceptic about importing goods from the countries indulging in such practices.

He pointed out that besides untreated industrial waste, hospital waste was another problem which should be addressed immediately. Syringes thrown by hospitals were reused, posing serious health threat to people, he said.

The council members also discussed a host of other issues, including water problem, rain emergency measures and development activities.

On charged parking issue, Muslim Pervez, who later chaired the session, ruled that parking should be banned in front of hospitals for convenience of the public.-PPI