T HE Employers Federation of Pakistan appreciates the report by Afshan Subohi on this subject (April 24). The EFP is fully committed to sensitising its members by initiating activities to guide, protect andadvise them on the imperative need to adhere to environmental standards and to undertake measures to ascertain the deficiencies in their units.

The EFP recently organised a programme on environmental laws that wa attended by a large number of representatives from member-organisation We had invited the Sindh environment secretary, who regretted at the last momen and assured us that three high of ficials from his department would attend. These three gentlemen also did not show up.

The EFP deplores the blatant violation committed by the black oil refinery in Gujranwala and will never support such violations. It is incumbent upon the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry to ensure that this refinery refrain from causing pollution and threats to the health of the area residents.

The Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has suddenly woken up an been issuing notices to industries. The eight industrial town associations of Karachi and Lasbela have given the mandate to the EFP to represent industrialists of these estates.

The EFP agrees with the SEPA director that his department lacks funds and staff and that is why it is essential that, first of all, there should be trained inspectors wh< understand environmental standards.

They can then impart correct advice an< guidance to industries instead of just issuing letters. Meantime, the Sindh government must immediately release required funds to set up state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment.

Uuntil SEPA has qualified inspectors, modern laboratories and other infrastructure, it should stop issuing letters or visiting industries. The EFP assures the authorities concerned that most industrialists have taken the matter seriously and are voluntarily willing to implement the standards.

Afshan Lalani Head of Communications & Media Cell Karachi