KARACHI: Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) was widely praised for its effective Eid-ul-Adha cleanliness and offal disposal operation during a seminar held in connection with World Environment Day at the City Campus of the NED University of Engineering and Technology. The event was jointly organized by the National Forum for Environment and Health (NFEH) and NED University and attended by environmental experts, academics, media representatives, business leaders, public officials, legal experts and members of civil society.
Addressing the seminar, SSWMB Managing Director Tariq Ali Nizamani said the board had successfully completed a large-scale cleanliness operation during Eid-ul-Adha across Karachi and other urban areas of Sindh, ensuring the timely collection and disposal of animal waste and offal. He said the operation helped prevent environmental pollution, foul odors, disease outbreaks and contamination of public spaces.
Nizamani said complaints received through the board’s helpline 1128 and social media platforms were addressed promptly, adding that SSWMB workers worked around the clock to maintain cleanliness during the Eid holidays. He noted that approximately 98 percent of complaints received from Karachi and other urban centers were resolved in a timely manner, reflecting the board’s growing operational capacity.
Highlighting future initiatives, he said the Sindh government had entrusted SSWMB with the responsibility of promoting a modern waste management system across the province. Feasibility studies are currently underway for the establishment of modern garbage transfer stations and scientifically designed landfill sites in several cities after the implementation of integrated waste management systems in divisional headquarters.
The SSWMB chief further informed participants that Pakistan’s first modern sanitary engineered landfill site, being developed under the World Bank-supported Sindh Water and Environmental Improvement Project (SWEEP), would soon become operational in Karachi. He described the project as a historic milestone for Pakistan’s waste management sector, enabling environmentally friendly waste disposal in line with international standards.
He also announced that four modern garbage transfer stations under the SWEEP project would soon start operations, improving the efficiency and sustainability of Karachi’s waste collection and transportation system.
Discussing circular economy initiatives, Nizamani said SSWMB was promoting projects aimed at converting organic and household waste into compost and biogas, while also encouraging plastic waste recycling to reduce pressure on landfill sites and improve resource utilization.
He emphasized the importance of environmental awareness among youth, stating that regular awareness campaigns were being conducted in schools, colleges and universities to promote responsible lifestyles focused on waste reduction, recycling, environmental protection and climate change awareness.
Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Muhammad Rehan Hanif praised SSWMB’s performance and stressed strict enforcement of environmental laws. He said effective action against polluting individuals and industries was essential for sustainable urban development.
NED University Pro-Vice Chancellor and renowned urban planning expert Professor Dr. Nauman Ahmed also appreciated the board’s efforts and highlighted the need for allocating adequate land for future landfill sites and garbage transfer stations. He observed that the land originally designated for the Jam Chakro landfill site three decades ago had become insufficient due to Karachi’s rapidly growing population and increasing waste generation.
Senior environmental expert Rafay Haq lauded the Eid-ul-Adha cleanliness operation, particularly in District Central, where he said sanitation conditions had improved significantly compared to previous years. He called for stronger coordination among local governments, public agencies and elected representatives.
NFEH President Muhammad Naeem Qureshi also commended SSWMB’s services during Eid-ul-Adha and emphasized the importance of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI), digital monitoring systems, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and modern communication technologies into waste management operations.
At the conclusion of the seminar, representatives of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and NFEH presented a commemorative shield to SSWMB Managing Director Tariq Ali Nizamani in recognition of the board’s environmental services and successful Eid-ul-Adha cleanliness operation.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to promoting sustainable waste management, environmental responsibility and the protection of natural resources, emphasizing that an effective sanitation system is essential for public health, pollution control and a cleaner future for coming generations.
