LAHORE, Nov 25: Governor Salmaan Taseer has said the corporate sector is polluting environment and neighbouring district Kasur is a vivid example where underground water has become poisoned and causing fatal diseases.

He was speaking at the inaugural session of a two-day international conference on Corporate Social Responsibility organised by the University of Central Punjab (UCP) at a local hotel on Tuesday.

He said the Kasur district’s agriculture and orchards had been poisoned, and it had the higher cancer prevalence rate in comparison with any district in the world.

He stressed that all should know their responsibility of saving this earth as a trust for children and future generation.

The governor said the corporate sector must fulfill its social responsibilities and pay tax. Being a businessman, he said he was among the Large Taxpayers Unit (LTU) and was surprised to know that there was no politician reflected in the unit.

He said it was a grave concern that politicians as well as most business did not pay full tax that caused a financial damage to the country.

With the corporate involvement, he said, a better social structure and environment could be created.

Earlier, Beaconhouse National Uiversity’s school of social sciences’ dean Dr Hafiz A Pasha said almost 90 per cent companies did not pay full tax, though they were earning a 500 per cent profit. He said the companies showed only 300 per cent profit and hide 200 per cent profit.

He said the inflation and increase in food prices had sent some 10 million additional people under poverty line during the last one year.

Senator SM Zafar said the globalisation demanded connectivity among the corporate sector, parliamentarians and consumers.

UCP board of governors chairman Mian Amer said there was an acute shortage of infrastructure in the country, which was leading poverty scales upward.

He said development in rural areas could help reduce problems.

He also urged the businessmen class to fulfill their social responsibilities towards society.

Later, four technical sessions were held. The conference will continue on Wednesday (today).