KARACHI, Jan 26: Sindh Minister for Environment and Alternative Energy Askari Taqvi has asked sugar mills to ensure adherence to the country’s environmental laws and national environmental quality standards at the earliest to avert penalties and other legal actions.

Discussing the issue of environmental degradation with representatives of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association in a meeting, the minister noted that sugar mills had been polluting the environment in their surroundings, causing severe health problems to residents of the nearby towns and villages and affecting flora and fauna of the region.

Referring to the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act and the National Environment Quality Standards under which severe penalties can be imposed on violators, the minister warned that action could be taken against the sugar mills if their owners failed to initiate immediate remedial measures.

Sindh Environment and Alternative Energy Secretary Mir Hussain Ali advised the association members to take short-term measures immediately to minimise environmental degradation in the areas under threat.

The millers assured the minister that adequate steps were being taken to check discharge of pollutants. The next meeting between the environment minister and the millers would be held on Feb 2, in which an account of the specific short-term measures taken up would be given.