With the campaign set to kick off from September 21, Sindh Local Govt. Minister and Sindh Labour Minister have promised a cleaner and more eco-friendly Karachi with the hopes of removing most of the garbage plaguing the city within a month.
Addressing the media, Sindh LG Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said he hopes to eventually extend the campaign to other parts of the province.
He then informed them of the actions being taken to achieve the goals of the campaign. Together with Saeed Ghani, Sindh’s Labour Minster, they apprised that the capacity of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board will be brought up from collecting 5,000 tonnes of garbage a day to 16,000 tonnes a day, following a review meeting with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. The LG Minister also says district authorities will be making temporary Garbage Transfer Stations throughout Karachi where the garbage will be collected and taken to landfill sites, for the purpose of the campaign.
“The provincial government is coordinating with all authorities including the mayor, Karachi commissioner, deputy commissioners, municipal commissioners and the chairperson of DMCs to chalk out a mutual strategy to address the garbage issues facing the city,” said Nasir Hussain. Nasir also appealed to the press to present a “soft and positive image of the district and provincial authorities”. However, without proper awareness and threat of lawful consequence for locals casually littering, the effects of the campaign will be short-lived. Harsher laws need to be implemented to maintain any efforts made to clean up the city.
Despite the Sindh government’s directives regarding medical waste after the Clifton Beach incident, various public and private hospitals fail to comply with ruling for proper waste disposal. On Monday, 16th September, a cluster of large trash cans could be seen outside Dow Dental College and University; medical officials in nearby institutions claim the garbage’s origins are unknown.