The Supreme Court (SC) has expressed dissatisfaction over reports filed by Islamabad and the provinces on environmental pollution and ordered them to file progress reports again.
Heading a three-member bench on Friday, Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali remarked, “No treatment plant was installed in Sindh for water. No mention has been made in this regard in the Sindh government’s report. The Sindh government should not try to take credit without any progress on the matter. This job has been done by private companies on their own. The plants set up in 1992 exist on paper only and not a single one is functioning.”
Justice Khilji Arif remarked, “The Sindh government’s report on eradication of pollution is tantamount to throwing dust in the eyes. Islamabad is now ‘racing’ with Karachi in terms of pollution. Citizens of Islamabad will have to shift somewhere else due to pollution. Sindh government has also taken no steps for eradication of pollution.”
The Balochistan government presented a report, which said that slaughter houses and crushing plants have been shifted from urban areas. According to the report, around 21 crushing plants have been shifted so far.
“Five cities including Quetta were being reviewed with respect to pollution. CNG rickshaws are being run in place of 4-stroke engine rickshaws,” the report said.
The Sindh government told the court that 65 treatment plants have been set up across the province.
Upon this, the chief justice remarked, “You did not install these plants as no mention of such plants has been made in your report. If private companies have installed these plants then you cannot take credit.”
Regarding Islamabad, the court was told that several important steps including tree plantation have been taken to make the city environment-friendly.
The court remarked it was not satisfied with the provinces’ reports and ordered to submit fresh reports again.
The court adjourned the hearing of the case indefinitely.