Untreated waste discharged from 537 locations in Sindh termed serious health threat

A seminar held in Karachi shed light on the grave health risks posed by untreated industrial, medical and municipal waste dumped at 537 sites across Sindh. Former Supreme Court judge Justice Amir Hani Muslim, who also chaired the water commission, emphasized the dire condition of Karachi's wastewater system, with only one of the city's four treatment plants functioning at partial capacity.

Justice Muslim criticized the misuse of funds for a wastewater plant near Mauripur and advocated for stringent enforcement of environmental regulations, effective action against violators, and mandatory effluent treatment for factories. He stressed that policies alone would not address the environmental crisis without practical implementation, monitoring and accountability.

PRCS Sindh Branch chairman Rehan Hashmi underscored the necessity of bolstering climate resilience, sustainable water management and safeguarding vulnerable communities against climate risks. The event featured discussions on the Sindh Water Policy, priorities for 2027, ecosystem-based climate adaptation, and the importance of inter-institutional collaboration to tackle environmental challenges effectively.