Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, today warned that marine pollution poses a severe threat to Pakistan’s blue economy, impacting biodiversity, fisheries, and tourism, while also contributing to climate change, public health risks, and economic losses.
Chaudhry made these remarks while chairing a meeting of the Marine Pollution Control Board in Islamabad. Representatives from relevant ministries, departments, and organizations were present.
Two committees were formed to identify problems and propose solutions for cleaner coastlines, a healthier marine environment, and a stronger pollution control system. These committees will investigate the Sewage Treatment Plant-III (SPT-III) project and the Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), which handles wastewater from industrial sources. They will present their findings to the board within 20 days.
Expressing concern over the infrequent meetings of the pollution control entity, the minister mandated regular sessions, noting that the current meeting, the fifth, occurred after 15 years. He called for a comprehensive public awareness program involving all parties to encourage community participation in combating marine contamination.
Chaudhry emphasized the strict implementation of environmental regulations, recommending penalties under the Merchant Shipping Ordinance and the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act for polluting ships and industries. He also advocated for empowering the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) to ensure effective regulatory enforcement.
The minister stated that land-based marine pollution, particularly untreated sewage and solid waste discharge, could be significantly reduced through focused interventions. He detailed the widespread impacts of marine pollution, including damage to fisheries and tourism, economic decline, public health threats from tainted seafood, climate change exacerbation, and threats to the livelihoods of fishermen and coastal communities.
Meeting participants discussed issues such as damage to port facilities, increased erosion necessitating regular maintenance of marine structures, and disruption of marine habitats, sometimes leading to species displacement or extinction.
Sea-based pollution sources like ballast water discharge, vessel waste, fishing activities, offshore drilling, and ship dismantling were identified as contributing about 10% to the total marine pollution. The meeting emphasized the necessity for stringent enforcement by the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and other maritime regulators to tackle these sources effectively.
The meeting revealed that Karachi produces over 472 million gallons of sewage daily, with nearly 100 million gallons from industrial sources. This waste flows through stormwater drains into the Lyari and Malir rivers, eventually reaching the sea. Solid waste, including biodegradable, non-biodegradable, and recyclable materials, often dumped along waterways and coastal areas, also contributes significantly to marine degradation.
Proposed solutions for solid waste management include installing nets on stormwater drains, river fencing, and deploying harbor trash removal systems. The importance of completing the Sewerage Treatment Project and constructing new treatment plants in strategic locations like Manora, Baba Bhit, and the Kalri and Phitti nullahs” catchment areas was emphasized.