A parliamentary panel was informed on Wednesday that environmental pollution around the coastal area of Karachi is a serious threat to the area's biodiversity.
In a briefing to the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs, Minister of Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi said that that 5.5 million tonnes of sewage containing inorganic and organic contaminants is thrown into the sea. Recently due to an accident, 40 tonnes of sludge was dumped into the sea and an inquiry is being conducted. He further said that Sindh government in collaboration with KPT and Port Qasim authorities can play an important role in resolving the issues of waste dumping and the uplift of economy of Karachi and Sindh. Boards of KPT and Port Qasim have been completed and made functional, he said.
The meeting of the committee was held here at Parliament House under the chairmanship of Mir Amer Ali Khan Magsi. The committee was further informed that Gwadar is going to be the commercial hub in future but issues such as connectivity through rail and supply of water and energy need to be resolved.
The committee was also informed that fishermen have also been taken care of by bringing changes in the East Bay Expressway in Gwadar. Brotherly countries Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar have shown interest in setting oil refinery and related industry in Gwadar. The committee also asked the ministry to direct KPT to resolve the issue of traffic jam under Karimabad Flyover, Karachi, by seeking help from the government of Sindh.