One of the major challenges facing developing countries, including our beloved country Pakistan, in providing local amenities is the provision of proper sanitation facilities to its citizens. One of the problems is that the flow of wastewater should be managed. At the same time, it is important to have a system for proper disposal of the garbage that accumulates on a daily basis.

The Government of Sindh has recently taken a big and positive step in this regard in Larkana, Sindh Province, Pakistan. A leading Chinese company “ GANSU”  will now work with the Sindh government in this regard and a formal plan has been prepared.  It should be kept in mind that Larkana is the city from which the two former Prime Ministers of Pakistan Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (Late) and Benazir Bhutto(Late) belonged. And even now there is a government of their own political party. Therefore, by choosing this city, the message has been given that they are starting this program from their home so they are showing their seriousness in this regard.

Keep in mind that the problem of garbage and its proper disposal is not limited to the city of Larkana but it is a problem that affects every city, town and village in Pakistan. Pakistan’s big and more developed cities are struggling with the problem in the same way that other smaller cities are struggling. Therefore, it would not be out of place to say that this Solid Waste Management Program launched in Larkana has the status of a pilot project. The success of this pilot project and its problem-solving experience will be used to minimize difficulties in implementing it in other cities in future.

It has been under discussion for a long time that there should be a regular and modern system of waste management. To achieve this goal, the Sindh government mobilized and at the beginning of last year, the Sindh government directed the Provincial Local Government Department and the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board to prepare a working paper in this regard. Ordering the preparation of this working paper, the Sindh government issued guidelines in this regard that it would be necessary to take into account the population of the city and its different needs in different parts of the city.

These two departments worked and sit together to make the plan to achieve this goal. Waste management plans of Pakistan and other countries of the world were studied. Following the study of different waste management plans, the two departments concluded that the goal of cleanliness could not be achieved without the involvement of international companies.

These departments presented their detailed report in this regard to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The final proposal was then sent to the provincial cabinet for approval as per his instructions. In this regard, in the April of the previous year, the provincial cabinet headed by Sindh Chief Minister gave final approval to this working paper. Once approved, administrative measures were required to bring the project to fruition. In May 2021, the Sindh Chief Minister convened a joint meeting of the officers of these two departments, technical personnel and the provincial ministers concerned with these matters. The meeting discussed the problems of Larkana city and the current situation of waste management facing it. It was kept in mind that the population of Larkana has now reached close to 600,000 and at present, there are twenty Union Councils. Union councils play a key role in cleaning up the area. Therefore, the possibility of removing the flaws and shortcomings there were discussed.

Seventy Garbage collection points have been set up temporarily in Larkana where garbage can be collected. The Sindh Chief Minister also directed to find a landfill site near the city for a permanent solution to this problem. While it was decided to give open tender in this regard so that this goal can be achieved through internationally reputed companies. This tender was issued and from the issuance of this tender to the approval of the bid, it was ensured that everything is completely transparent. The best offer from all the companies was given by the Chinese company GANSU. All details from this company have been determined in accordance with the prevailing international regulations.

The tender states that the company will use its vehicles to collect garbage from the doors of the houses. The company will be responsible for collecting garbage from homes as well as main highways, streets and bazaars and when it is collected, it will be taken to the Garbage transfer station for disposal. In the meantime, all matters relating to international standards of hygiene will be taken care of.

The second major step in this initiative will be to achieve the goal of cleanliness as well as open the door to hundreds of jobs for local people. Not only will this have a positive effect on the sanitation system but it will also affect the health of the local people as well as their sources of employment. The project was formally inaugurated by Bilawal Bhutto, chairman of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party in Sindh province, in the last week of last month. As a next step, the Sindh government has also invited tenders for cleaning Karachi.

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