More than 6,500 illegal factories in residential areas

More than 6,500 illegal factories are running in Karachi without following any standard operating procedures (SOPs) which may cause untoward mishaps while the administration seems to be not interested in any legislation against such type of industries. It may be recalled that over 325 persons have been killed in two cities of the country when fire completely destroyed two factories, one in Karachi and one in Lahore.
The city has apparently become a safe haven for illegal industrial units as they are operating without following any SOPs. These factories also have no futuristic planning to curb the emission of poisonous gases and smoke, posing serious health risks to the people.
Sources told Pakistan Today that more than 2,300 illegal factories are set up in Baldia Town, including factories manufacturing plastic water tank, fats liquefying, and chips. More than 1,700 factories, including those related to manufacturing paints, handling garbage and plastic bags etc, exist in Orangi Town.
900 factories of fats liquefying, liquor and other narcotics, shoes are established in Lyari. Factories in Bakara Mandi area were a cause of stinky smell in the area. Moreover, 600 plastic, shoe and chemical factories are also running in the surrounding areas of Malir.
Illegal factories are also established in Azizabad, Liaquatabad and Peoples Colony. Over 110 marble and shoes factories are illegally functioning in Korangi, Shah Faisal and Landhi.
“These industries in the urban limits have always been a cause of untoward mishaps as well as concern for people’s health, but the regrettable thing is that the practice still continues under the nose of the government,” the official sources said.
The sources revealed that 212 factories are operating along the road from Shairshah to Baldia Town without approval from the ministry of industries.
“These illegal factories emit lethal gases in the air which is already unbearable in most parts of the city due to the emissions by unfit vehicles, both public and private,” said official.
Some of the small units for liquor manufacturing are situated within 500 meters along the Maripur Road where huge quantities of different chemicals are dumped. These chemicals might cause any untoward incident. A renowned industrialist told Pakistan Today on condition of anonymity that a list of illegal units had been prepared which were also damaging the credibility of genuine industrialists. The owners of such factories should be issued show-cause notices to explain as to why they did not get approval before setting up their businesses, he said and added that in case of non-compliance, the units should be fined and referred to concerned tribunal for proceedings against them.