Shaikh Mohammad Afzal Enviornnment Minister for Sindh
In reply to a question he confessed that he was conferred the environment ministry by their beloved Qauid of the MQM's movement Altaf Hussain. "I took oath in May 2008 administrated by Dr. Eshrat ul Ebad but I hadn't portfolio for this ministry to occupy over" he said. Further he told that he got portfolio by Sindh Government but overall our Quaid Altaf Hussain had decided this ministry.

While answering a questions he anticipated that he don't think so that the Karachi is the most polluted city in Pakistan but things are there to be done as per requirement. Karachi is wrapped up with noise and air pollution, which draws attention both of the federal government and mine as well. "The water is also harmful for human consumption, because it causes cancer, respiratory diseases, dysentery and cholera," Afzal said, adding that fish resources were depleting in the lake because of pollution and fishermen were compelled to migrate.

In reply to a question from Heer Soho, he said that the Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) has launched an electrification project and a water supply scheme through "renewable energy" technologies in 100 remote, off-gird villages in Thar. Around 3,000 households in 49 villages of Thar have so far been catered to, and request for funding for the remaining villages has already been made. The programme depends on the availability of funds, for which the AEDB was seeking help from the government and donors, Afzal said.

Talking about the projects he expressed that we are currently working on two projects the first one totally aims at purism of water and air pollution as well. Shaikh Mohammad Afzal said he would try to review the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report of the RBOD-II because experts believed the project's EIA was too weak. He said he had spoken to the chief minister because many people had expressed reservations over the project. The government would address the reservations and might change its design if it was considered necessary, he said.

The Provincial Minister for the Environment and Alternative Energy, Shaikh Mohammed Afzal has said that levels of carbon dioxide, methane, nitro-oxide, chloral carbon and other injurious particles have reached dangerous levels in Karachi. Talking to various issues on the environment the provincial Minister pointed out that traffic emissions and gases emanating from industrial concerns have contributed greatly to the degradation of the city's environment.

He said that like many other countries, pollution is also affecting Pakistan, which is also taking a toll on the national exchequer.

He said if developed countries do not help Pakistan technically and financially, the problem of environmental pollution will worsen rapidly.

Shaikh Afzal also said that the affects of environmental pollution and global warming are also affecting the mental and physical health of people.

In this regard, the provincial minister assured that the government is playing its part in trying to redress the problems arising from environmental pollution.

There is a need for an action plan involving all the stakeholders to improve, protect and conserve the environment. It said that the seminar had representatives from both regulatory and corporate organizations from across Pakistan including such institutions as National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), DuPont, Lead Pakistan, Fauji Fertilizer Company, Attock Refinery Limited and many others. The day's activities provided valuable discourse on topics including Process Safety Management, Operational Excellence, Climate Change Mitigation, Renewable Energy Sources, Construction Safety Management, Disaster Management, amongst many others. While answering a question on completion of the day's activities, the Minister stated that this seminar has highlighted the need for public-private co-action to frame workable policies to prevent in-house pollution and implement safety measures in manufacturing concerns for the ultimate goal of sustainable development coupled with quality production.

With recent years having witnessed tremendous improvement in the perceived relation between health, safety and environment and industrial production, the Minister added that an urgent action plan, involving all stakeholders, was needed to improve, protect, rehabilitate and conserve our natural environment.

Speaking on the Engro the Minister appreciated Engro Chemical's efforts in organizing the seminar for the second consecutive year, adding that Engro had established itself as a role model for other organizations for the implementation of HSE standards. On this occasion, Asad Umar, President and CEO, ECPL emphasized that profits could not be sustained without due consideration for people or the planet. The positive response to this seminar over the last two years had reinforced the commitment of both the government and industry to utilize mutual expertise and outreach to promote social well being and improve the bottom line by building alliances and mutually beneficial partnerships. Adding that industrialization in the region was gaining momentum in all fields, he said that it is imperative not to forget the role of health, safety and environment in achieving continued and sustained growth. Engro Chemical has maintained a proud record of human safety, health and environmental standards and we are honored to share our experience with organizations trying to improve their own HSE standards.

In his message to business monitor he openly expressed that its our responsibility to protect the environment and save it from being contaminated. It is the foremost responsibility of the builders to have evaluation from our departments before they start construction.