The Marine Pollution Control Department (MPCD) of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) Wednesday came under fire for its failure to clean its own premises. The MPCD, which is envisaged to address environmental issues related to marine pollution at the country's 62-square-kilometre long Karachi harbour, attracted the ire of Ports and Shipping Minister Kamran Michael who visited different KPT departments on Wednesday.
During visit, the federal minister, officials said, was irked by seeing huge piles of trash and garbage outside the MPCD office, which made Michael issue a show-cause notice to General Manager MPCD Fayaz Rasool. "The minister sought explanation from the GM and ordered the issuance of show-cause notice," a Ministry official told Business Recorder.
The notice, he said, was issued under disciplinary action clause of Esacode. "This department is supposed to take care of the (marine) environment but it ironically appeared to have failed in cleaning its own premises," the official said. The KPT officials have been given one week to dispose the mess off. "If not cleared, the minister would take further strict action that may eventuate into the suspension of the concerned officials," the official said.