Latest news with #WaqarHussainPhulpoto
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Health
- Express Tribune
Hospitals told to follow protocol in waste disposal
The environment watchdog in Sindh has warned clinics and hospitals in Hyderabad to dispose of hospital waste in incinerators per laid down rules and regulations. Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) Director General (DG) Waqar Hussain Phulpoto has issued a stern warning to public and private hospitals across the district for failing to dispose of medical waste in accordance with SEPA regulations. During his visit to Hyderabad, he chaired multiple meetings at the SEPA regional office with hospital administrators, kiln owners, factory operators, and municipal officials from various districts. He directed hospitals to follow scientific protocols for medical waste disposal using incinerators and to ensure strict compliance with Hospital Waste Management Rules. Expressing displeasure during individual hearings, the DG reprimanded kiln owners for not using eco-friendly fuel and instructed them to adopt environmentally safe alternatives in line with SEPA laws. Municipal officers of Hyderabad were also directed to ensure proper disposal of municipal waste at designated landfill sites. Violations of the SEPA Act 2014 will result in strict legal action, the DG warned. DG also held individual hearings with owners of ice factories, various industrial units, and construction firms, emphasizing the need for full compliance with environmental regulations. Responding to public complaints, the DG ordered the sealing of an ice factory located in Thatta for non-compliance.
Express Tribune
06-06-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
CM vows plastic-free Sindh on World Environment Day
On the occasion of World Environment Day, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the day is being celebrated worldwide under the theme "End Plastic Pollution." He emphasised the need for collective action to protect the environment from plastic pollution and appealed to the public to minimise plastic use and adopt a clean environment. The CM said that the Sindh government has launched a plastic cleanup campaign across the province and is ensuring strict enforcement of plastic laws. The Sindh government is promoting the use of eco-friendly cloth and paper bags. A complete ban on plastic shopping bags will be imposed from June 15. 3,000 cloth bags Like the rest of the world, World Environment Day was celebrated across Sindh with fervour and renewed commitment to ecological preservation. DG Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) Waqar Hussain Phulpoto started the day by planting a sapling, symbolising the province's dedication to sustainable and environment-friendly initiatives. Speaking to the media, he announced that 3,000 cloth bags have been distributed at major shopping malls to encourage the public to shift away from harmful plastic shopping bags.
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt goes digital to combat pollution
The Sindh government has decided to introduce a Smart Surveillance System to monitor and mitigate environmental pollution, said the provincial Secretary Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Department Agha Shah Nawaz on Wednesday. Addressing the fifth major meeting on environment change, industrial pollution and coastal protection organised by FPCCI, Agha Shah Nawaz said the digitalisation is the need of the hour, and the department aims to launch an automated system within a year. The system will identify old, smoke-emitting vehicles and issue e-challans in coordination with the traffic police. FPCCI Senior Vice President Saqib Fayyaz Magoon expressed concern that while efforts are being made to boost exports, smaller factories can not afford wastewater treatment plants due to the high cost of doing business. He urged the government to form a comprehensive strategy to support them. "If we do not act now, we risk losing GSP+ status," he warned. DG SEPA Waqar Hussain Phulpoto stressed that industrialists must fully comply with the Sindh Environmental Protection Act. He emphasised that industrial waste, particularly wastewater, should only be discharged after proper treatment and that hazardous waste must be incinerated through appropriate plants. He also noted that SEPA's vehicular emission campaign is ongoing and that monitoring of industrial vehicles will commence soon. Environmental experts highlighted that the rapid destruction of mangroves due to water shortages is threatening marine life. Mangroves, they said, are vital for protecting marine biodiversity and shielding coastal areas from natural disasters. Responding to these concerns, Secretary Agha Shah Nawaz said that discussions around marine life often ignore the harsh reality faced by coastal communities. "Fisher folk are suffering from hunger, disease, and unemployment," he said. "Severe water shortages in Sindh's coastal regions and the drying up of the delta have put human lives at risk. A 53 per cent reduction in water flow has been recorded at Kotri Barrage," he added. He proposed the formation of an emergency integrated committee comprising industrialists, experts, transporters, solid waste management bodies, and other stakeholders to devise an effective national strategy. He further stated that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a powerful tool that can drive coordinated environmental change, provided it is implemented sincerely. The meeting was attended by DG SEPA Waqar Hussain Phulpoto, Director Natural Resources Imran Sabir, industrialists, transporters, environmental experts, and other stakeholders.
