PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
MONDAY, THE 14TH SEPTEMBER, 2026
499 *Syed Adil Askari:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
How is the ministry addressing issues like water pollution, air pollution and deforestation?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
Recognizing the importance of water and its essential role in sustaining life, the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) enforces regulations to control pollution from industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources through monitoring, inspections, and enforcement actions. SEPA's ongoing efforts include the installation of wastewater treatment plants in large industrial units.
To assess pollution levels in ground and surface water, SEPA collects water samples to evaluate water quality and identify pollutant concentrations. Based on these assessments, SEPA advises municipal authorities and industrial associations to improve wastewater treatment infrastructure and promote safe disposal practices. Additionally, SEPA conducts public awareness campaigns and workshops to educate residents about water conservation, pollution prevention, increasing green cover, and sustainable management practices. SEPA also works closely with government agencies, civil society organizations, research institutions, and the private sector to leverage resources and expertise for effective water management and pollution control.
593 *Mr. Abdul Waseem:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
(a) Whether it is a fact that due to air pollutiondiseases are increasing in Karachi;
(b) If answer to (a) above be in affirmative, precautionary measuresare being taken to tackle the situation?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
yes,
To analyze the air quality of Karachi, SEPA conducted air quality monitoring during 2020, 2021, and 2022-2023. The purpose of this study was to assess the severity of air pollution and identify hotspots. In this context, after identifying the hotspots, SEPA enforces strict regulations and standards for emissions from industries, vehicles, and other sources through regular inspections and penalties for non-compliance. SEPA tests vehicular emissions in collaboration with traffic police.
Additionally, the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, under the Environment, Climate Change, and Coastal Development Department, has been consistently striving to combat air pollution. These efforts include the demolition of illegal battery-burning operations, the cessation of brick kiln activities, and the installation of dust catchers, electrostatic precipitators, and bag houses in various industrial units. SEPA also promotes clean energy technologies and renewable sources. Furthermore, SEPA emphasizes green infrastructuredevelopment, such as parks and urban forests, to improve air quality and enhance urban biodiversity by absorbing pollutants and mitigating air pollution impacts. Considering the severity of the impacts of air pollution, public awareness campaigns are conducted to educate residents about air pollution hazards and encourage cleaner practices.
750 *Mr. Muhammad Farooq:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
Steps taken of un-treated contaminated water released from industrial zones of Karachi?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT: -
Sindh Environmental Protection Agency has a mandate for enforcement of Sindh Environmental Protection (SEP) Act 2014 and Rules & Regulations made there under. Industrial monitoring to check individual industrial units located in various industrial areas in Sindh for compliance of environmental laws and to prevent contamination of water bodies and the sea.
In this context SEPA had taken concerted efforts to monitor the wastewater being generated from the industrial units. Legal action in accordance with the law was initiated against the violating originations, it is pertinentto mention that with the efforts of SEPA more than 200 industries installed wastewater treatment plants.
· Seven Industrial zones of Karachi generate industrial effluent with a quantum of approximately 104 MGD. Around 80 MGD untreated wastewater is dumped through Malir and Lyari rivers into the sea. According to the survey of Industrial units approximately 24 MGD industrial wastewater is treated in individual industrial units. The sectors include textile, leather and chemical plants.
· Industries Department, Government of Sindh has initiated projects in which five (05) Combined Effluent Treatment Plants would be established at various industrial zones of Karachi. Federal Government and Sindh Government agreed to release the funds for the completion of project within due period of time.
· Port Qasim Authority is planning to install Industrial Treatment Plant.
1175 *Dr. Fouzia Hameed:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
(a) Is it a fact that the illegal factories in Korangi pose serious health threats to the residents;
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, steps taken to solve the issue?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
It is a fact that industries operating legally or illegally their activities can pose serious health threats to residents if they are operating without proper pollution control measures. The mandate of Sindh EPA is to monitor environmental compliance, not to determine the legality of an industry's establishment or allocate space in industrial zones. The legal status of an industry is determined by the relevant industries department, development authorities and district administration. Within its defined mandate, the Environment Department conducts regular monitoring of industrial units to assess compliance with SEP Act-2014 and Sindh Environmental Quality Standards (SEQS). The actions taken by the Sindh EPA include:
· Conducting surprise visits of industrial units to monitor emissions, effluent discharge, and waste management.
· Issuing notices / directions to the industrial units found violating environmental standards.
· Imposing environmental penalties and fines on violators.
· Referring cases to the Honourable Environmental Protection Tribunal and Honourable Judicial Magistrate.
· The department continues to maintain its legal obligations to resolve environmental issues in accordance with the law.
Moreover, with the efforts of Sindh EPA, Pak Tanners Association (PTA) operating Combine Effluent Treatment Plant catering 87 Tanneries.
1482 *Mr. Sajjad Ali Soomro:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State: -
(a) Is it a fact that the environmental impact assessments are to be carried out before commencing construction/operation under Section 17 (1) of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act, 2014;
(b) If answer to (a) above is affirmative, number of same carried-out in industrial areas of Karachi during May 31, 2023 to May 01, 2025?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT: -
a) Yes, it is submitted that in Sindh Province, it is mandatory under section 17 (1) of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014 to carry out Environmental impact assessments for the project falling in Schedule III of SEPA (Environmental Assessment) Regulations 2021 before commencing construction /operations.
b) There are Total Eighteen (18) Environmental Impact Assessments carried out in Industrial Area of Karachi during May 31, 2023 to May 01, 2025.
1683 *Ms. Farah Sohail:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
What strategies are being implemented by the department for solid waste management and recycling?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
It is submitted that under Section 13 & 14 of the Sindh Environmental Protection Act 2014, Sindh EPA periodically checked industries regarding handling of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste from collection till disposal. For effective disposal of Hazardous Industrial/Hospital Waste Sindh EPA enforced to established 14 Incineration Plants in the province besides establishment of public sector organization (Hospitals, KMC etc.) incinerators.
Solid waste managing through effective collection and engineered landfill site, coupled with methane capture systems, involves the systematic collection, segregation, transportation, and safe disposal of waste in a scientifically designed manner.
2097 *Mr. Najam Mirza:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State: -
What measures are being implemented to reduce vehicular smoke emissions in urban areas, including the frequency and locations of roadside emission checks, and is a low-sulfur fuel policy under consideration?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT: -
Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) operates the Vehicular Emission Control Program (VECOP) in the Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur divisions to monitor vehicular smoke emissions, primarily from heavy vehicles.
The VECOP field team conducts weekly roadside emission monitoring at different locations in coordination with the Traffic Police to assess complianceand take enforcement action against vehicles exceeding limits.
Vehicle emissions are monitored using Smoke Analyzers for diesel vehicles to measure smoke opacity (smoke density). In addition, the team carries out inspections of industry operated vehicle fleets using portable emission monitoring equipment.
SEPA also conducts awareness and consultative sessions with industries, vehicle manufacturers, assemblers, and fleet operators to promote compliance with vehicular emission standards, encourage the adoption of cleaner transport practices, and support the phased reduction of high-emitting vehicles.
2100 *Mr. Najam Mirza:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State: -
Number of brick kilns have so far shifted to zig-zag technology, along with penalties imposed for non-compliance of the same during 2025-26?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT: -
Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sindh EPA) has facilitated the conversion of 23 brick kiln units to environmentally friendly zig-zag technology, while 11 additional unitsare currently undergoing the conversion process. Furthermore, Sindh EPA is actively collaborating with CRS (Catholic Relief Services), a USA-based non-governmentalorganizationandSindh Peoples Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) to promote and accelerate the conversion of conventional brick kilns to zig-zag technology across the province. This initiative aims to reduce air pollution, improve fuel efficiency, and ensure compliance with environmental standards.
Sindh EPA filed 02 cases in Civil Judicial Magistrate court and 14 cases pending in Provincial Ombudsman.
Sindh EPA imposed fine of Rs 200,000 through District Administration. Moreover, 06 Brick kiln units removed from Sukkur Region.
In year 2025, 12 cases were filed in the Session Court Shaheed Benazirabad in violation of Section 14 of SEPA Act 2014.
G.M UMAR FAROOQ
KARACHI: SECRETARY
DATED THE 11TH SEPTEMBER 2026 PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
