Sindh Minister for Environment Shaikh Mohammad Afzal has said that the provincial government has forwarded the cases of environmental laws volition against textile, sugar mills and other industries to environmental tribunal for necessary action.
Speaking at a dinner hosted by Mian Zahid Hussain and Abdul Feroz on Monday, he said, "If we strictly implement environment laws more than 90 percent industrial units operating in the province will be closed and as a result large number of employees will lose their jobs, which we do not want." However, he warned that Pakistan might not be able to export its goods if it fails to meet international standards of environment. The minister advised industrialists to cooperate with the government and play their role in implementation of environment laws to make industrial units environment friendly.
He said pollution free environment is necessary for healthy nation, adding that gases emitted from chimneys of industrial units and motor vehicles are polluting environment. The minister fear that majority of population may face serious health problems like skin diseases, asthma, and hypertension etc if we fail to control environment pollution.
Chief Executive Officer of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC), Tabish Gohar said that Pakistan needs comprehensive and long term energy policy. He said he has suggested to the government to abolish sales tax on furnace oil and should not withdraw subsidy on the directive of IMF. He said that delay in payment of electricity bills by various departments was negating impacting KESC efficiency. He said operating generators on furnace oil cost three times more than generation through gas. He said consumers may not be able to pay power bills if KESC switched it generators on furnace oil owing high cost of electricity.
Managing Director of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Faizullah Abbasi said that the gap between demand and supply of gas was increasing constantly. He said work on import of LNG is in progress and hoped that SSGC will get 500 million cubic ft gas soon. President India-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IPCCI), S. M. Munir said that the country was facing serious energy problems.