Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi agreed to launch coordinated efforts to combat marine pollution, protect coastal ecosystems and strengthen blue economy.
The issue came under discussion during a meeting at the minister’s office where the two leaders reviewed the worsening state of marine pollution along coastline and its implications for marine biodiversity, fisheries, coastal communities and critical infrastructure.
The minister said marine pollution was no longer confined to environmental degradation but had become a multidimensional challenge affecting livelihoods, economic activity and the health of people living in coastal areas.
The minister said the Marine Pollution Control Board of the ministry was already implementing measures to curb pollution and proposed convening a meeting with the Sindh government and relevant provincial departments to prepare a coordinated response.
Junaid Chaudhry expressed particular concern over the discharge of untreated sewage into the sea, describing it as one of the most serious threats to marine environment.
He said the continuous flow of untreated wastewater into coastal waters was damaging sensitive ecosystems, including mangrove forests, coral reefs and fish habitats.
He said pollution reduced dissolved oxygen levels in seawater, disrupted marine biodiversity and drove fish away from affected areas, undermining fisheries and the livelihoods dependent on them.
The minister stressed that protecting marine ecosystems was essential not only for environmental sustainability but also for strengthening blue economy, which relies on healthy coastal and marine resources.
Governor Nehal Hashmi said marine pollution had become a major public health concern for people living in coastal settlements, particularly in Karachi, where communities were increasingly exposed to health risks associated with polluted coastal waters.
He emphasised the need for stronger cooperation among federal, provincial and local authorities to improve wastewater management and prevent untreated sewage from entering the sea.
The meeting ended with both sides agreeing to strengthen institutional coordination and jointly develop long-term measures to curb pollution, protect coastal ecosystems and support the sustainable growth of blue economy.
