PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
LIST OF STARRED ASSEMBLY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
FRIDAY, THE 23RD JANUARY, 2026
498 *Syed AdilAskari:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
What are most pressing environmental challenges facing Sindh Province currently?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
The Province of Sindh is currently confronted with multiple environmental challenges. These include water scarcity, which poses a serious threat to agriculture and the fulfillment of basic human needs; climate change impacts that have intensified heatwaves, droughts, and flooding events; and escalating air and water pollution that adversely affect public health and ecological systems. In addition, the loss of natural ecosystems and ongoing land degradation have weakened biodiversity and reduced the province’s natural resilience to environmental hazards.
In response, the Environment Department is adopting an integrated and coordinated approach, focusing on strengthened water governance, effective control of industrial emissions, improved pollution management, sustainable urban planning,ecosystem restoration, and the implementation of climate change adaptation strategies.
652 *Mr. Shariq Jamal:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
(a) Is it a fact that cement factories in the vicinity of Karachi are burning solid waste as a fuel without the approval of SEPA or any environmental impact report;
(b) If answer to (a) above is in affirmative, the detail thereof?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
It has been verified by Sindh EPA that none of the cement factories located in Sindh province is burning solid waste as fuel.
736 *Mr. Muhammad Farooq:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
Whether any Law exist to conclude the use of polythin begs who are polluting the environment very much?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
· The Government of Sindh promulgated the Sindh Environmental Protection Act, 2014 on 20th March 2014.
· Subsequently, Sindh Prohibition of Non-Degradable Plastic Products (Manufacturing, Sale and Usage) Rules, 2014 were also notified.
751 *Mr. Muhammad Farooq:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
Whether any bureau has been established to take action against smoke emitting vehicles, if so, steps being taken by the same?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
· The Transport and Mass Transit Department, Government of Sindh, Karachi is exercising the mandate of checking vehicle fitness.
· However, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) conducts vehicular emission testing regularly in coordination with Traffic Police. Vehicles emitting smoke in violation of standards are penalized by Traffic Police under the Motor Vehicles Ordinance.
· SEPA does not have the capacity to monitor every vehicle, as emission monitoring is already a component of vehicle fitness certification by the Transport Department.
1188 *Mr. Sabir Hussain Kaimkhani:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
What initiatives are being taken in Province to eradicate the causes of air pollution?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
It is submitted that, air quality is influenced by multiple interconnected factors, including:
* Vehicular emissions and traffic congestion.
* Construction and development activities.
* Open burning practices, such as the burning of agricultural residue and solid waste.
* Industrial emissions.
* Insufficient green cover.
The Government of Sindh has undertaken several initiatives to address pollution-related issues, including:
* Introducing environmentally friendly public transport systems and improving mass transit networks in major cities of Sindh.
* Implementing stricter regulations on industries to combat air pollution and emissions.
* Enhancing waste management through the establishment of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board.
* Conducting large-scale tree plantation drives.
* Launching public awareness campaigns to promote environmental responsibility.
1481 *Mr. Sajjad Ali Soomro:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
(a) Is it a fact that funds were allocated for coastal cleanup projects in Sindh during period 01-01-2022 to 01-06-2025?
(b) If response to (a) above be in the affirmative the details thereof?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
"It is clarified that there is no any coastal cleanup project during the period 01-01-2022 to 01-06-2025 under execution by Sindh Coastal Development Authority, Government of Sindh."
1685 *Ms. Farah Sohail:
Will the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Coastal Developmentbe pleased to State:-
(a) Is it a fact that steps are being taken to protect and manage the coastal areas of the province?
(b) If answer to (a) above be in the affirmative the details thereof?
ANSWER
SYED HASSAN ALI SHAH, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND COASTAL DEVELOPMENT:-
· As per Sindh Coastal Development Authority’s Act-1994, SCDA is responsible for overall development, improvement, beautification and coordination of the coastal areas of Sindh.
· The mission of Sindh Coastal Development Authority is to upgrade the socio-economic conditions of the coastal population of Sindh.
· The Sindh Coastal Development Authority has provided the following facilities under various development projects:
· Construction of 406 drinking water supply schemes
· 251.50 kms farm-to-market roads at 150 different locations
· Solar electrification of 190 villages
· 30 school buildings
· 30 protection bunds
· 26 bridges
· 56 culverts
· 63 brick pavements
· 377 toilets
· 147 link roads
· Mangroves plantation on 22,200 hectares (54,834 acres)
· Five floating jetties at different locations
· Work under progress on farm-to-market roads measuring 76.5 kms
· (Thatta 27.1 kms, Sujawal 10.7 kms, Karachi 12.5 kms, Badin 26.2 kms& CC Roads 27,700 Rft)
Ongoing ADP Schemes 2025-26:
i. Communication Access & Allied Facilities in the Coastal Areas of Karachi & Thatta
(ADP No. 867, 2021-22 to 2026-27, estimated cost Rs. 741.164 million)
· Component-1: Construction of Pedestrian Bridge from Baba to Bit Island (Estimated cost Rs. 560.215 million)
· Component-2: Construction of Pakka Link Roads (Farm to Market 165 km) (Estimated cost Rs. 176.577 million)
ii. Communication Access & Allied Facilities in the Coastal Areas of Sujawal & Badin
(ADP No. 868, 2021-22 to 2026-27, estimated cost Rs. 496.051 million)
iii. Improvement of Coastal Road from Ibrahim Hyderi to Lat Basti(ADP No. 869, 2022-23 to 2025-26, estimated cost Rs. 425.875 million)
iv. Construction of Floating Jetty alongwith Community Center at Lat Basti(ADP No. 870, 2022-23 to 2025-26, estimated cost Rs. 116.721 million)
v. Construction of Floating Jetty alongwith Community Center at Keti Bandar(ADP No. 871, 2022-23 to 2025-26, estimated cost Rs. 140.086 million)
vi. Construction of Floating Jetty alongwith Community Center at Village Hassan Jat, Taluka Keti Bandar, District Thatta(ADP No. 872, 2022-23 to 2025-26, estimated cost Rs. 135.683 million)
vii. Construction & Reconditioning of Farm-to-Market Roads in District Thatta & Badin(ADP No. 873, 2023-24 to 2026-27, estimated cost Rs. 486.877 million).
G.M UMAR FAROOQ
KARACHI: SECRETARY
DATED THE 22ND JANUARY 2026 PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH
