Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has paid tribute to the field staff of the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) for their efforts in carrying out one of the city’s largest-ever Eidul Azha cleanliness operations despite extreme weather conditions, saying their dedication ensured successful removal of nearly 170,000 tonnes of animal waste across Karachi.
Addressing a press conference about the Eidul Azha offal collection and cleanliness operation, the mayor said he personally remained in the field throughout the Eid holidays alongside SSWMB Managing Director Tariq Ali Nizamani, elected representatives and operational teams to monitor the campaign.
“I commend the managing director of the SSWMB, his entire team, sanitary workers and all those who worked relentlessly in the intense heat over the three days of Eid,” he said. Wahab added that the operation effectively continued for five days beginning with the Bohra community’s Eid celebrations and extending until the fourth day of Eid observed by the Ahle Hadith community.
During this period, a total of 169,961 tonnes of offal and waste were transported to the Jam Chakro and Gond Pass landfill sites as well as the Sharafi Goth Garbage Transfer Station (GTS), he said, adding that of the total waste collected, 81,525 tonnes comprised sacrificial animal remains, and 88,436 tonnes consisted of garbage and animal waste.
He said all vehicles participating in the operation were linked to a centralised monitoring system. He explained that 9,293 tonnes of offal were removed on the first day of the Eid, 27,750 tonnes on the second day, 35,508 tonnes on the third day and more than 8,968 tonnes on the fourth day.
To facilitate the operation, 99 collection points were established across Karachi. More than 9,326 pieces of additional machinery and 341 large dumpers were deployed, while 23,415 sanitary workers took part in the operation.
The mayor said residents were provided with round-the-clock assistance through the 1128 helpline and a mobile phone application. Of the 1,330 complaints received, around 90 per cent were addressed and resolved during the operation.
Criticising opposition parties, he said representatives of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) continued to criticise the operation while remaining occupied with animal hide collection. He maintained that some elected representatives of the JI, including those from Gulshan Town and New Karachi, had publicly appreciated the SSWMB’s performance.
“My suggestion is that instead of focusing on criticism and press conferences, everyone should work for the city. Karachi cannot be served through politics of division,” Wahab said. Referring to comments made by JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on the morning of Eidul Azha, the mayor questioned how conclusions about the failure of the waste collection system could be made before the operation had run its course.
He further explained that small collection vehicles transported offal from streets and neighbourhoods to designated collection points, from where dumpers carried the waste to landfill sites. Following the removal process, lime was sprayed and fumigation carried out across affected areas, while major thoroughfares were washed with rose water.
“We remained in the field until late at night to ensure the operation was completed effectively,” he said. Wahab also disclosed that under the Section 144 restrictions imposed by the Karachi commissioner against the ‘animal fat mafia’, police arrested 14 individuals and registered 40 FIRs.
He said this year’s operation had been more successful than the previous year’s campaign. Responding to a journalist’s question, the mayor announced plans to establish Pakistan’s first Industrial Water Park and revealed that development schemes worth Rs68 billion in the city would be completed by December 31 this year.
