KARACHI: Representatives of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) at a consultative meeting with government officials on Tuesday reiterated their demand for combined effluent treatment plants on an urgent basis.

Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Development Barrister Murtaza Wahab was the chief guest at the event.

Speaking on behalf of Kati, Saleem-uz-Zaman, the incoming president ofthe association, said industrialists were complying with Sindh environmental quality standards but the problem was the absence of combined effluent treatment plants.

Such a facility, he emphasized, was urgently needed in the city.

He informed the gathering that a proposed legal amendment in this respect had already been forwarded to the quarters concerned and government facilitation was required.

The Kati representative also called for setting up a `proper procedure` for conducting public hearings of Sindh EnvironmentalProtection Agency (Sepa) as these public forums were at times `hijacked` by some elements for their vestedinterests.

Sharing a list of recommendations during the meeting, Kati`s current president Sheikh Umer Rehan said the coastal area of Sindh was fertile for the cultivation of sunflowers.

If this potential was explored, he pointed out, Pakistan could save up to $3 billion per annum as it would significantly reduce import of edible oil.

He assured the government officials in attendance of Kati`s cooperation in this regard.

On industrial issues, heexpressed concern over the rising cost of production and said it`s not possible for small industrial units to set up waste-water treatment plants.

Other participants highlighted several long-standing problems of Karachi including lack of coordination among the different civic agencies, absence of an ef ficient solid waste-disposal system, growing pollution, shortages of water and electricity, which had been hampering the city`s development.

In his address, Mr Wahab expressed dissatisfaction over federal government` initiatives and said it had not given priority toKarachi and the rest of Sindh, which needed action-oriented plans and not mere announcements.

About Sindh government`s projects to promote trade and business, he said the government was setting up a special economic zone in Dhabeji while the government was ready to work with Kati on matters such as installation of treatment plants.

The proposal in this regard would be presented to the Sindh Assembly, he added.

The government, he said, was working on a plan to develop the area in Kathore for the cultivation of sunflowers and palm trees.