Karachi Court Orders Absolute Ban on Malir River Waste

Declaring open dumping and burning of solid waste along the Malir riverbank illegal, the Sindh High Court has imposed an absolute ban on such activities. The court cited significant environmental degradation and grave public health threats stemming from this practice.

Acknowledging systemic failures and jurisdictional disputes among various authorities, the court directed the Chief Secretary of Sindh to convene a high-level meeting within two weeks. This meeting will involve key stakeholders to delineate responsibilities and devise a coordinated mechanism for solid waste management.

All waste must be transported to designated landfill sites as per the law. The court mandated strict enforcement of the ban, including the application of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, with violations leading to criminal cases. A comprehensive compliance report is required within four weeks, and the ban will remain in effect until a lawful mechanism is fully implemented.