THIS is with reference to the article ‘Hazardous waste challenge’ (May 4), which seems to have missed the point that the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, being the focal ministry of various multilateral environmental conventions, including Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) conventions, regularly shares the status on BRS implementation with all relevant forums. Besides, there is constant parliamentary oversight.

The objective of these conventions is to protect human health and the environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes. Pakistan has been fully compliant with BRS obligations since their ratifications.

Pakistan regulates wastes and chemicals covered under the BRS conventions through import policy order (IPO), which is regularly updated and jointly implemented by various federal and provincial agencies.

The ministry has already initiated a study on e-waste management in Pakistan with the support of global bodies. The main objective of the study is to formalise the classification of e-waste in accordance with international laws and regulations, and to investigate local electronic waste management practices, including recycling.

The ministry has also submitted a project proposal for funding support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for official procedures regarding environmentally safe management of wastes for ship-breaking industry at Gaddani.

Under the project, a Common Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facility (CHW-TSDF) will be established for providing environmental utility services to the ship recycling yards and other industries in the area for handling hazardous waste in a safe and environmentally sustainable manner.

Spokesperson
Ministry of Climate Change
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2023