KARACHI, Feb 19: The Sindh government plans to launch a Province-wide campaign on March 23 against smoke-emitting vehicles, especially rickshaws, mini-buses and buses.

A decision in this regard was announced by Sindh Minister for Environment and Forest, Hasan Ali Chaniho, at a meeting held at Sindh Environmental Protection Agency here on Tuesday.

Mr Chaniho said the obtaining pollution conditions, particularly the air and noise pollutions, had gone up to a highly dangerous proportion and, as such, needed strict enforcement of environmental laws and standards.

In this regard, he constituted a committee, headed by the secretary for Environment and Forest.

This committee will submit a report by March 10 about the guidelines and strategy to be followed for the conduct of March 23 drive.

On the occasion, the minister also issued directive for preparation of a plan for control on transport and traffic. Under the plan the aging vehicles will be phased out from Karachi roads besides discouraging the conversion of old vehicles on diesel.

Hasan Ali Chaniho emphasised the need for involvement of the private sector participation in the drive. Through their cooperation a mass media awareness programme will be started against pollution and particularly to promote and give practical shape to the Green Karachi programme.

He suggested the constitution of a board to examine the possibility of privatization of the issuance of fitness certificates to vehicles.

He also referred to the introduction of incinerators for control of bacterial pollution.

In this regard, he said, the oil companies and banks would be requested to play their role.

Mr Chaniho said if required, the environmental laws would be amended. In this regard, he set up a committee, headed by the DG of EPA Sindh, to submit recommendations on the matter to be forwarded to the law department for action.

The secretary for Environment and Forest, Shamsul Huq Memon, informed the meeting that in Karachi over one million public vehicles and 0.1 million rickshaws were plying, which were gravely contributing to the deterioration of environmental conditions.

He said this had led the government to realise the gravity of the situation and launching of the campaign. The secretary stressed the need for introducing a subject at the school level.

He expressed his concern over the sale of spurious mobil oil being used in rickshaws and motorcycles. He said it, too, was contributing to pollution.

The meeting was attended by DIG for Traffic Saud Mirza, Provincial Coordinator NDP Brig Abdul Huq, DG of EPA Shafiq Ahmed Khoso, ADIG of Sukkur Mushtaq Shah, representatives of ABN AMRO, PSO, Caltex, NBP and HBL.—APP