HYDERABAD, Dec 7: The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) has expressed dissatisfaction over environmental conditions obtaining in the province observing that increasing pollution caused by industrial effluent is having a negative effect on the overall environment.

Sepa Director General Rafiuddin Siddiqui, calling for collective measures to control the situation, said that Sepa divisional offices would be established soon in Larkana, Sukkur and Mirpurkhas to address environmental issues.

He was speaking at a public hearing pertaining to a proposed filter plant to be set up on the premises of a pharmaceutical company in Jamshoro at a cost of Rs400 million.

The hearing was held at a local hotel on Friday.

Mr Siddiqui stressed the need for keeping people aware of the harmful effect of environmental pollution.

He expressed dissatisfaction over measures taken by industries to treat the waste before disposal.

He said that last year around 3,500 industrial units were issued notices for violating environmental laws. He appreciated the pharmaceutical company’s initiative to establish its own waste recycling/treatment plant.

The company’s technical director, Ali Gul, said that the wastewater filter plant, planned in 2010, would provide clean drinking and irrigation water to the residents of villages located around the company premises.

He said that the company was already providing 30,000 gallons of clean drinking water a day to Lakho Faqir, Siddiqui Rajar and Ramzan Rajar villages through its filter plant in Chakkar Khan village.

Opinion

The price of chocolate

The price of chocolate

Little attention is paid to any long-term strategy which might prevent vulnerable children from working in homes where they are in danger.

Editorial

Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...
Climate funding gap
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

Climate funding gap

Pakistan must boost its institutional capacity to develop bankable climate projects.
UN monitoring report
Updated 17 Feb, 2025

UN monitoring report

Pakistan must press Kabul diplomatically over its tolerance of TTP terrorism.
Tax policy reform
17 Feb, 2025

Tax policy reform

THE cabinet’s decision to create a Tax Policy Office at the finance ministry has raised hopes that tax policy is...