Pakistan: Liaquatabad in Karachi becomes a hazardous landfill due to government negligence

Pakistan: According to The Express Tribune, residents of Liaquatabad’s FC Area in Karachi are living in oppressive conditions as a result of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board’s (SSWMB) ongoing disregard for its obligations, which has allowed an empty plot close to the Government Lal Girls Secondary School to turn into an unofficial dumping site.

Garbage started to accumulate on the open plot over a month ago when SSWMB employees reportedly began unloading rubbish there, according to The Express Tribune. Locals have often complained about the rubbish not being cleared, which has resulted in an intolerable stink, bug breeding grounds, and heavy smoke from sporadic fires. For hundreds of families, students, and worshipers at the nearby mosque, the situation has made life difficult.

Residents said that the people most affected were those with asthma and respiratory issues. There are safety and environmental hazards associated with the expanding garbage mound. Tuesday’s rubbish fire, the second in recent days, dispersed poisonous black smoke around the neighborhood and forced many to remain inside, intensifying the situation.

“This narrative has essentially devolved into a mound of trash. We pray by it, and our kids attend school next to it. One resident said, “The authorities have left us powerless.” After the fire started, a fire tender from the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) arrived on the scene and put out the flames before they could spread to the school building or surrounding shrubs. According to The Express Tribune, officials verified there were no casualties but cautioned that any delay may have resulted in catastrophe.

Residents have once again urged the managing director of SSWMB to clean the site immediately and take action to stop future dumping in the crowded neighborhood. According to The Express Tribune, they said that the government’s persistent delay shows a lack of concern for civic welfare and public health, which makes Karachi’s waste management problem even more concerning.