KARACHI, March 28: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said the ban on polythene bags will help protect environment. Presiding over a meeting at the Governor’s House held to review various projects aimed at bringing improvement in environment in the province, Ishratul Ibad appreciated the cooperation of people and efforts of concerned authorities in this regard.

The public emphasis on use of polythene bag played major role in the blocking of sewerage lines and boosting poisonous environmental pollutants, he said.

The governor asked the authorities concerned to carry out a full-fledged media campaign to check the production, sale and use of polythene bags, besides creating greater public awareness through street theatre to protect people against pollution.

He asked the authorities to gear up the drive launched against smoke emitting vehicles.

Pointing out that citizens suffer various diseases due to growing ratio of carbon dioxide and other poisonous elements in the environment, he said that completely fit vehicles could help ensure healthy life.

He stressed on imperativeness of treatment of industrial waste and said it was essential for every industry to have filtration and treatment plants.

Dr Ishratul Ibad emphasised that instead of disposing of industrial waste through drains and canals, such methods be followed whereby people are protected against pollution affects.

The participants of the meeting were told to have complete coordination with health, education departments and media for creating awareness among people while officials of environment department should apprise the school goers of pollution hazards.

Among others, Senior Health Minister Syed Sardar Ahmed, Environment Minister Dr Saghir Ahmed, Principal Secretary Saleem Khan, Special Secretary Javed Hanif and senior officials of environment and health departments attended the meeting.—APP