Karachi plunges deeper into heaps of trash

The Sindh government had announced a prize money of Rs100,000 for identification of garbage throwers

KARACHI (Dunya News) – As the Center and provincial government of Sindh led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) engage in certain political conflicts and despite the federal government constituted a high-powered committee to work out plans to address issues being faced by the residents of Karachi, the longstanding cleanliness situation in Karachi has worsened, particularly after the onslaught of the monsoon season.

Instead of taking charge or effective responsible measures, the provincial government has turned the issue of “cleanliness of Karachi” into a nightmare for the people of the metropolis, who are left at the risks of waterborne diseases, mosquito- and fly-borne diseases, skin infections, conjunctivitis and other diseases.

Thousands of patients are suffering from pneumonia, typhoid, dengue and diarrhea as the garbage is still being haphazardly and indiscriminately thrown on the streets – unfolding filthy and unhygienic conditions in Karachi.

What has further irked the people are gutters in various parts of the city suddenly overflowed to cause disruptions and roadblocks, and potholes in the roads and highways due to which commuters are forced to “drive very cautiously.”

Despite of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) are not discharging their responsibilities properly in removing heaps of garbage and the garbage continues to pile up along roadsides in many areas of the city.

On September 24, the Sindh government had announced a prize money of Rs100,000 for identification of garbage throwers in Karachi.

Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani had spoken to the media and claimed that the issues were being ‘deliberately’ created in the metropolis.

The PPP leader had maintained that the cleanliness drive had been initiated and positive results were being produced. He had urged citizens to record videos of those who throw garbage outside and inform the relevant authorities.

Saeed Ghani had bashed the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan for staging protest against the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board to stop it from working. “Everyone knows who blocks the sewerage system by putting sacks in it,” he commented.

The provincial government has imposed a ban on throwing garbage as part of an ongoing cleanliness drive in the metropolis.

Solid waste means any garbage, refuse, sludge from a wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant and air pollution control facility, or other discarded materials including solid, liquid, semi-solid or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining and agricultural operations.

On September 21, a month-long “Clean and Green Karachi” campaign was announced by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah in the district West of the metropolis.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Karachi West Fayyaz Alam Solangi had said a comprehensive plan has been developed for the task and under its first phase, the backlog of waste would be collected and duly transported to the designated points.

“Then from those points the staff of Solid Waste Management Board will carry the same to landfill sites.”

"According to a careful estimate backlog of 70 thousand tonnes of garbage is scattered across the district while 1800 to 2000 tones are generated here on daily basis," he had said in reply to a question by the media.

The proper and safe disposal of the daily waste produced in the district is the responsibility of the DMC-West, he had said, adding that steps have been taken to ensure that no complacency or negligence be allowed.

PPP’s MNA Abdul Qadir Patel, MPA Liaqaut Askani, chairman, DMC-West, Izhar Ahmad Khan, Municipal Commissioner West, Waseem Mustafa Soomro and SSP Shaukat Ali Khatian and others were present.

MNA Abdul Qadir Patel had expressed confidence that the current campaign announced by Sindh Chief Minister would produce desired results as each and every stakeholder is being involved in it.

He had further suggested that DMC-West must take the responsibility to carry garbage to the Jam Chakro and Hub River Road landfills from parts of the district located close to mentioned landfill sites.