Karachi: The Sindh government has announced that it will register FIRs against anyone involved in burning garbage on the streets. The decision aims to reduce pollution and protect the environment.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), chaired by Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah. The meeting was also attended by Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, senior officials, town chairmen, and other representatives.
Authorities said that garbage burning is mostly carried out by private waste collectors. These collectors pick up waste from different areas, separate useful items for resale, and then either burn the remaining garbage or dump it into drains. Officials admitted that this practice often continues because it helps save transportation costs.
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who is also the chairman of the SSWMB, said that financial penalties should also be imposed on those involved in illegal garbage disposal. He added that burning waste causes serious environmental damage and also harms the city’s drainage system.
According to an official statement, the SSWMB decided that FIRs will be registered against anyone found burning garbage, no matter which organisation they belong to. The Local Government Minister stressed that waste management companies must have enough staff and machinery, and that their vehicles should operate round the clock with tracking systems.
The minister also directed the SSWMB to improve coordination with union councils (UCs) and town administrations. He said new laws are being prepared to give more powers to vice chairmen and UCs to improve waste management.
Officials shared data showing that Karachi produces over 14,800 tonnes of waste daily, but only 10,000 to 12,000 tonnes reaches landfill sites. A large amount of garbage is either burned or dumped illegally.
Some local officials welcomed the decision but raised concerns about its implementation. They said that better coordination between the SSWMB, town administrations, and police is needed for the FIR system to work effectively.
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