The Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, announced plans to tackle the issue of polluted cargo being dumped at Karachi Port by foreign countries.

During a speech at the ‘National Policy Dialogue on Circularity and Used Textile Trade in Pakistan’, Sheikh revealed that thousands of tons of waste-laden cargo, with no claimants, were creating pollution at the port.

The minister said the government was considering two options: either auctioning or returning the polluted cargo to its originating countries.

He highlighted that such practices by developed nations were not only wasteful but also harmful to the environment of Pakistan.

Sheikh also discussed the significant role of Pakistan’s textile industry, which, with the help of used clothing imports, provides affordable goods for the country’s population, with 40 percent of people living below the poverty line.

In fiscal year 2023-24, Pakistan received over 430,000 metric tonnes of used clothing, mainly from the European Union, which contributed to the local economy and job creation.

To improve the efficiency of handling these imports, the minister highlighted efforts to enhance port operations and container management, ensuring the timely processing of shipments.

The government is also focusing on developing waste sorting hubs to promote textile recycling, thereby reducing the environmental impact of the global textile trade.

The dialogue also included insights from experts, such as Asad Naqvi of UNEP, who highlighted the importance of second-hand textiles for the poor masses, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the circular economy.

However, he also pointed out that refurbishing these textiles added to the strain on local resources like water and energy.