The country has virtually become a dumping site for the international community, with thousands of tonnes of hazardous waste being dumped every year. Things are made worse by our lack of capacity to separate regular and hazardous waste, resulting in serious environmental and health concerns.
Our waters remain polluted, and the marine life is in an acute danger, which is not a good sign for Pakistan. Last year, 85,000 tonnes of hazardous waste was dumped in Pakistan. In 2019 alone, 624 such containers were dumped along the Pakistani coastline, and the private party that had imported the waste could not be traced.
One wonders if the contents of solid waste are reviewed before issuing the importers the relevant no-objection certificate (NOC). As many as 40 NOCs were issued to private parties only last year to import hazardous waste into the country. For a country that does not have the capacity to manage its own waste, it is quite extraordinary to import waste.
Pakistan generates millions of tonnes of solid waste annually, and 15-20 per cent of it is hazardous. Now, when several countries and private parties are also contributing to this hazardous activity, this is only adding to the misery of the people.
It is imperative to take concrete steps against those issuing NOCs to private parties and countries to dump their hazardous stuff here. If that is not done today, we will be no less than a trash-can or a dumping site for the world.
AHSANULLAH MENGAL
HUB
