Judicial magistrates denied entry into 77 factories for inspection, commission told

The judicial commission investigating non-provision of potable water, proper sanitation facilities and healthy environment to Sindh’s people on Friday called comments of 77 factory owners who stopped judicial magistrates and environmental inspectors from inspecting their industrial units.

The commission, headed by Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim, was informed by the judicial magistrate (West) that during their visit to 400 factories for inspection in the SITE areas, the administrations of 77 factories did not the inspection teams enter their premises.

Resultantly, the commission summoned the DIG West and inquired him as what action had been taken against the factory owners who barred the judicial magistrates and officers of the Sindh environmental protection agency’s form entering their industrial units.

The DIG West said he was not informed about their visit to factories, however, he added that action would be taken against police officers deputed with the inspection team and the factory owners. The commission directed the SSP West to accompany the inspection team during visits to the factories.

Industrial waste

The commission also issued notices to seven factories which were involved in burning industrial waste in Dadabhoy town and Mehmoodabad areas.

Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar said cantonment boards were discharging untreated sewerage into the sea which caused environmental pollution. He said the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation was being denied to remove encroachment at Nahr-e-Khayam and private nurseries had been allowed to encroach on the drain land. The mayor said the KMC was not being allowed to work for betterment of the city.

The commission directed the mayor, the local government secretary and other civic agencies to hold meetings in order to resolve the issues with regard to disposal of garbage and sewerage.

Additional charges

The commission also took notice over additional charges given to officers and directed the chief Secretary to appoint permanent officers on the vacant posts and withdraw additional charges from the relevant officers.