Due importance accorded to environment: Qaim Ali Shah

Syed Qaim Ali Shah expressed concerns over the release of sewage in the River Indus, its canals and ultimately in the sea. He said that except Karachi and Hyderabad there is absolutely no system in place in other parts of the province resulting our major lakes and all other water bodies have become contaminated and this water is used for drinking purpose in all down stream cities and towns while the district governments do not have financial resources and technical expertise to attend these issues.

He pointed out that quality of ground water is also cause of concern especially where excess to surface water is limited mainly due to use of fertilisers and pesticides. He directed Local Government, Agriculture and Environment Departments to take coordinated and integrated approach to minimise the threats and hazards of environmental degradation in the province of Sindh.

Earlier, Sindh Minister for Environmental & Alternative Energy Askari Taqvi presented welcome address and highlighted progress and problems of the department in detail. GuIzar Feroze, Chairnlan Standing Committee on Environment, FPCCI and others also addressed the Seminar and read their papers.