Latest news with #SindhSolidWasteManagementBoard
Business Recorder
08-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Urban waste: Sindh adopts aggressive recycling strategy
KARACHI: The Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) has begun implementing an ambitious strategy to ensure that up to 50 percent of urban garbage generated in Sindh — comprising organic waste and other recyclable materials does not end up in landfill sites but is instead recycled for the good of the environment. SSWMB Managing Director Tariq Ali Nizamani, speaking as the keynote speaker at the Annual Environment Conference-2025 organised by the National Forum for Environment & Health (NFEH), said this effort had already seen the establishment of three waste recycling, compost and biofuel production plants in Karachi, while the fourth one — a plastic recycling facility began operating in Hyderabad on 1 August 2025. He said that approximately 14,000 tonnes of municipal waste generated in Karachi and 1,1000 tonnes produced in Hyderabad daily were a massive challenge for SSWMB, whose disposal should take place through such sustainable means. These strategies will be deployed to make Sindh clean and green, said the SSWMB chief. The Hyderabad's new recycling plant processes 25 tonnes of inferior-quality polyethylene waste daily, converting it into high-strength, eco-friendly manhole covers. Each 50-kilogramme cover can withstand up to 18 tonnes of pressure, replacing metallic covers that are often stolen, causing fatal accidents. He added that the World Bank-backed facility would employ around 80 people formerly working in the informal sector. Alongside plastic recycling, the SSWMB would conduct training workshops to educate citizens on converting daily kitchen waste into compost to enhance green cover in their neighbourhoods. Highlighting SSWMB's ongoing sustainability initiatives, Nizamani informed the audience that more than half of Sindh's urban waste comprises organic and recyclable materials that can be repurposed, substantially reducing pressure on landfill sites. The conference, themed 'Environment, Climate Change, Corporate Leadership – Towards a Sustainable Pakistan' also featured speeches emphasising the need for provincial autonomy to effectively address environmental degradation and climate change. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
25-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Rs12bn grant for SSWMB approved
KARACHI: The Cabinet Committee on Finance, under the chairmanship of Energy, Development & Planning Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Interior & Law Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, held a high-level meeting in the committee room of the Energy Department. During the meeting, the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) presented a request for an additional budget for the fiscal year 2024–2025. After thoroughly reviewing the legal aspects of the request, the committee members, in mutual consultation with the provincial ministers, approved a conditional out-of-budget grant of Rs 12 billion for the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board. The Energy and Interior Ministers directed the relevant officials of the Solid Waste Board to address all concerns and legal objections raised by the Finance Secretary regarding the grant. The committee also decided that the Solid Waste Management Board will reassess all existing contracts with waste collection contractors, as the rates in Sindh were found to be higher than those in other cities. A proper system will be introduced to accurately measure the weight of garbage removed from the city, and Razor Readers will be installed in all garbage collection vehicles. This will ensure that contractors are paid according to the actual weight of garbage transported, thereby preventing the misuse of public funds. On this occasion, Minister Nasir Shah emphasized the need to further improve the operations of the Solid Waste Management Board to enhance cleanliness and provide relief to the public. He urged officers to utilize their full potential for this purpose. The committee was informed that the Solid Waste Management Board is currently operating in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana, serving a population of approximately 24 million. With increased operations, the board's expenditures have risen to Rs 43 billion. It was further revealed that the board is expecting a revenue of Rs 10 billion from various ongoing projects, which are currently being finalized. Minister Nasir Shah also stressed the importance of ensuring timely payments to waste collection contractors and establishing a transparent mechanism to ensure continuity in cleanliness and waste removal services. It was decided that the Solid Waste Board will renew all contracts within 3 to 6 months. The meeting was also attended by Planning & Development Chairman Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, Local Government Secretary, and other officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
SSWMB basketball tournament begins today
Colourful basketball kits being unveiled by Tariq Nizamani of SSWMB for the inter-academy boys and girls basketball tournament. KBA officials are also seen. PHOTO: KBA The SSWMB Trophy Inter-Academy girls and boys basketball tournament is set to begin today under the patronage of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui. The matches will take place at the International Abdul Nasir Basketball Court in Aram Bagh. The tournament will officially open at 8:30pm with SSWMB Manager Marium Tariq presiding over the inauguration ceremony. Managing Director of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB), Tariq Ali Nizamani, made the announcement during a special kit distribution ceremony held for the participating 12 teams. He was accompanied by President of the Karachi Basketball Association (KBA), Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal, Secretary Zahid Malik, Organizing Secretary Haji Muhammad Ashraf Yahya, KBA members Zaeema Khatoon, Engineer Zain-ul-Abideen Channa, and Aamir Sharif. Former KBA President Ghulam Muhammad Khan was also present on the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, Tariq Nizamani stated that Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Mayor Murtaza Wahab, and Commissioner Karachi are deeply committed to promoting healthy activities for the youth of Karachi. "This tournament reflects that vision and commitment," he said. "We hope this initiative will help identify talented players for the national level and offer young athletes a valuable platform to showcase their skills." KBA President Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal extended his gratitude to SSWMB and the Mayor of Karachi. "The youth of Karachi are being provided with remarkable opportunities in sports by the Government of Sindh, helping build a healthier and more positive society."
Express Tribune
16-06-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Flooded by neglect
For an agricultural country, rain has always held the power to heal communities, rejuvenate crops and strengthen the livelihood of many. But since more than a decade ago, this divine gift has turned into a death sentence for Pakistanis residing in Karachi. Yet again, despite repeated opportunities to prepare for the upcoming monsoonal season, the city is headed towards destruction as delayed funding obstruct full-scale drain clean-ups. With 20 to 30 per cent more rainfall expected this year, Karachi is instead preparing for flooded roads, collapsing infrastructure, waterborne diseases and severe economic disruption. While KMC awaits funding and support for its large-scale cleaning operations, urban academics highlight the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board's failure to prevent the dumping of garbage into storm drains which reduces their operational capacity. In turn, the Board has touted its own lack of funding. At the centre of the tango that these corporations and government bodies are enmeshed in, stands a man in knee-deep water trying to get to work at the risk of electrocution from exposed electrical wiring. The horrors of urban flooding caused by rainfall are endless. Not only the derelict neighbouhoods but many posh areas also turn into cesspools. Major thoroughfares remain impassable for days due to standing water standing. In 2020, Karachi saw its worst flooding in almost a century - which killed at least 41 people - and that was majorly caused by the city's poorly maintained drainage systems. There is no shortage of evidence proving that drain clean-ups demand immediate action. According to experts, the upcoming cleaning efforts have already been rendered less effective due to current delays. And since they are time-intensive, their efficacy will only continue to decline with every passing day - unless urgent action is taken.
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
City needs Rs100b development grant
The economic powerhouse of the country needs a Rs100 development grant in the new budget, Mayor Murtaza Wahab said Tuesday. He urged MQM-Pakistan and representatives from various parties to play their role in ensuring Karachi gets its fair share in parliament. City Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said that all elected representatives remained present on the ground during Eidul Azha. He applauded the sanitary staff and everyone involved in remarkable work in extreme heat over all three days. A total of 146,801 tons of offal and garbage was transported to the three landfill sites - Jam Chakro, Gond Pass, and Sharafi Goth GTS. He was speaking at a presser at the KMC head office where he was flanked by Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad, MD Sindh Solid Waste Management Board Tariq Nizamani, Deputy Parliamentary Leader of the City Council Dil Muhammad, and others. He shared that 96 collection points were set up across all 25 towns and 7 districts of the city. Citizens were provided with a 24-hour helpline (1128), through which 3,699 complaints were received, out of which 97.4% were addressed. He stressed that he personally toured the city to monitor the situation and take action regardless of any criticism, stating that there is no other example in the world of such a large amount of waste being removed in just three days. With the budget approaching, he reiterated that Karachi deserves its due share, and while everyone talks about empowering local governments, actual support for Karachi is needed. He urged MQM-Pakistan and representatives from various parties to play their role in ensuring Karachi gets its fair share in parliament. He demanded that the upcoming budget allocate Rs100billion as a development grant for Karachi, the commercial and financial hub of the country. The mayor said he has no objection if the federal and provincial governments appoint representatives to monitor the process. He invited Jamaat-e-Islami's Karachi chapter Ameer Munim Zafar and Federal Minister Mustafa Kamal to sit together and work for the city instead of indulging in criticism. "Work is happening in Karachi, but we are too busy pulling each other down. Please stop portraying the city in a negative light; this will not serve Karachi," he urged. Mayor Wahab said that politics of discord must end if meaningful progress is to be achieved. "This time, there was no stench - only prejudice," he said. "Previously, there was China-cutting, now there is road cutting." He said that Karachi's water sources lay over 125 kilometres away, and all he seeks is the rightful share for Karachiites. "We have passed the ball into the federal government's court," he said, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take action. "If he does, we will hold a joint press conference." He expressed hope that Mustafa Kamal would present Karachi's case in the cabinet meeting and have it approved, and that the PPP would also support the issue in the National Assembly. He mentioned that action was taken against the "tallow mafia" in coordination with the Karachi Police Chief, leading to 144 FIRs and the arrest of 348 individuals. "Karachi is a vast city. When something bad happens, the mayor is blamed; when something good happens, others take credit." Many people jump into the unregulated business of making tallow from the fat of sacrificial animals. If prepared under hygienic conditions, beef tallow can be used in cooking. However, scrupulous elements make edible oil from animal fat in extremely unhygienic conditions posing health risks for the consumers. Mayor Wahab stated that tenders have been floated for drain cleaning in all seven districts, and that funding for the work comes from the provincial government. Small-scale winching operations are needed, and the Cantonment Board used GTS facilities for their work.
