Daily Times

KARACHI: The caretaker Sindh government and industrial community discussed environmental and social problems arising in the province in order to formulate a strategy for their resolution on Saturday.

Caretaker Minister for Environment, Jameel Yusuf ,during talks with representatives of trade and business associations and members of Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), said that government was extending possible assistance to industrialists at every level to boost economy of the country and encourage development in Sindh.

“There is a dire need that all stakeholders should keep close contact on important matters in order to further promote understanding for amicable resolution of problems,” said the minister.

The caretaker minister said that directives had already been issued to respective government departments to look into laws addressing environment and other issues on priority basis.

“Government departments and the industrial sector should provide assistance to each other without any delay,” said Jameel Yusuf. He said that he hoped that industrial and trading associations would also play their respective roles in a positive manner.

During the meeting, Zubair Motiwala, Gulzar Firoz, Moiz Khan, Qaiser Waheed and other representatives of business community also apprised the caretaker minister about hurdles in resolving environmental issues.

Environment Secretary, Mukhtiar Soomro said that industrial and trading associations would be consulted and assisted to encourage growth in the industrial sector.

He also told the participants that regular meetings could help in settling down issues pertaining to industries. He assured them that ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) would also be issued without any further delay.

Law Secretary, Abdul Raheem Soomro said that there was a need to ascertain ways and means to implement environment related laws.”Water Commission has also helped us to resolve issues related to environment and the business community has also been cooperating with government to resolve these issues,” he remarked.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director General, Naeem Mughal also attended the meeting among other officials.

Later, in the day, the minister shared proceedings of the meeting with the media. He said that meeting discussed issues of industrialist and businessmen. He added that steps being taken to improve the environment were discussed in the meeting. He said that there was a dire need of zoning of areas designated for industrial and residential as per the law. He informed the media that small industries had been established in residential areas and they were creating environmental issues. He added that during the meeting all such issues were discussed by the relevant stakeholders.

He further told the media that judiciary was doing several jobs meant for civil administration. “Our administration has collapsed but it would be revived by working for betterment of the society as a whole and following rules and regulations and properly. We also need to collectively plan in order to resolve the issues faced by us,” said the caretaker minister.

Replying to a question, Jameel Yusuf reiterated policy of caretaker government and its mandate for holding free, fair and peaceful elections on July 25. While categorically rejecting allegations on twitters and on other social media applications, he said that all contesting candidates and parties as well as their supporters were free to carry out their campaigns and activities but as per code of conduct issued by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) , which was formulated with consensus of all political parties.

He advised all candidates to approach District Returning Officers (DROs) and District Management Officers (DMOs) formally in case of any complaint.

Moreover, he informed that installation of 20,000 close circuit cameras in polling stations has been started in Sindh. He said that political parties are advised not to violate code of conduct as agreed with ECP. He added that they may use ECP prescribed size of banners and panaflex.

Caretaker Minister for Environment Jameel Yusuf told the media that Imran Khan was also given a warning over violation of code of conduct. “We should play our due role for holding free, fair and peaceful elections,” he stated.

Published in Daily Times, July 15^th 2018.