I WOULD like to acknowledge retired Justice Amir Muslim Hani’s relentless inquiry into the absence of sewage treatment plants in DHA, Karachi, as a result of which effluent is being directly released into the sea.

It is difficult to imagine how educated administrators responsible for developing the DHA’s infrastructure could so callously opt for releasing sewage into the sea without realising the harm this would cause to the environment, the marine life and the health of thousands of citizens who throng the Seaview beach.

To compound the situation, the DHA has leased out prime beachfront spaces to a number of restaurants who also throw their sewage and garbage into the sea.

Such reckless disregard for the environment is tantamount to a cognisable offence or, as a very minimum, gross negligence.

Justice Hani might perhaps like to examine the culpability of individuals and institutions responsible for causing harm to the environment and putting at risk the health of citizens. Unless we make an example of officials who act with reckless disregard to public good, we will perpetuate this irresponsible and high-handed conduct.

I am confident that Justice Hani and his commission will oblige the DHA to fast-track the construction of state-of-the-art treatment plants.

Hasan Pervez

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 27th, 2018