KARACHI, Feb 15: The Adviser to Chief Minister on Environment and Alternative Energy, Noman Saigol, on Wednesday sealed three factories and issued show-cause notices to other factories in the Korangi and Landhi industrial areas for violating environment laws.

The action was taken by the adviser during his visit on complaints received from local people about violation of environment laws by some factories in the said industrial areas.

He directed concerned officials to seal the Pakistan Super Food and Asad Plastic in Korangi and Smart Boy in Landhi.

He also directed to issue show-cause notices to Naqashbandi Industries (Pvt) Ltd, Landhi, E F K Industry, Korangi, Esham Dinning Industry, and National Tent House (Pvt) Ltd.

He further directed the KWSB officials to cut water supply connections to these factories.

These factories were allegedly involved in discharging poisonous water into sewerage lines of the area and harmful smoke.

Speaking on the occasion, the adviser said no factory would be allowed to spread water or air pollution to harm human health or marine species.

He said the Sindh government was fully determined to take severe action against the factories found involved in spreading any kind of pollution.

The adviser was informed by the local people about problems being faced by them due to spread of pollution by factories.

They said these factories disposed of their harmful chemical waste in open places and discharged their poisonous water into sewerage lines and drains.

Meanwhile, the environment adviser also paid a surprise visit to the Asad Plastic Factory, in Korangi Industrial Area, which was working despite a ban on its operations by the government. He directed the concerned officials to seal the factory for producing substandard polythene bags.

The adviser said the government was determined to make the Sindh province including Karachi free from pollution.

The EPA officials also collected samples from water being discharged from the factories.

Speaking about the coastal belt of Karachi, Mr Saigol said the discharge of poisonous water from the factories of Korangi and Landhi were the major causes of marine pollution.

He also directed factories owners to conduct environment impact assessment (EIA) of their respective factories and follow environment laws.

Director, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Iqbal Saeed, EPA Deputy Director (Monitoring) Ashfaq Hussain Peerzada, town officials and those of health, water board and the police were also present.—APP