Businessmen urge withdrawal of SEPA notices

KARACHI: Presidents of Seven Industrial Town Association have urged the chief minister of Sindh to take immediate notice of the harassment to the industrialists by the Sindh Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

At a press conference called at the SITE Association of Industry on Wednesday, they demanded the provincial government to immediately withdraw the notices issued to a large number of industrialists failing which the industrialist shall be compelled to close industries which will lead to massive layoffs, unemployment and unrest.

They demanded the chief minister Sindh to constitute the Environment Protection Council with representation of all seven industrial Associations.

They expressed their concern that the Sindh Government had taken no practical steps and measures to establish combined effluent treatment plants for industries in all industrial areas of Karachi.

They demanded the government to fulfill its promises of setting up five combined effluent treatment plants in the industrial zones of Karachi.

They said the Sindh government is generating huge revenue from the industries of Karachi, nevertheless, it appears that the industries of Karachi and Sindh is a low priority area for the government.

They said the Sindh Environment Protect Act was passed in 2014 but neither the Council, chaired by the Chief Minister, under the law has notified nor rules and procedures have been approved by the Government. In such circumstances, the notices by SEPA are one-sided and uncalledfor.