Section 144 enforced in Rawalpindi to curb waste dumping

RAWALPINDI: In an effort to combat the illegal dumping of waste at unapproved locations, Commissioner Rawalpindi Liaquat Ali Chatha has issued a directive to the deputy commissioners of all districts to immediately enforce Section 144.

The directive, which comes as a response to growing complaints about the unauthorized dumping of construction material and garbage across the city, aims to curb these practices. Commissioner Chatha also urged the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company to identify a suitable location, separate from residential areas, where a transfer station can be established.

Specifically, he expressed dissatisfaction with the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) officials, citing the improper disposal of construction material waste throughout the city. Liaquat Bagh station has been designated for construction material waste disposal, and Commissioner Chatha warned that stern action, including filing FIRs against responsible officials and dumpers, will be taken if such waste is discovered anywhere else.

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Furthermore, Commissioner Chatha stressed the need for building plans to include an undertaking from developers or property owners committing to disposing of building material waste only at designated locations. Failure to adhere to this would result in legal consequences.

The Commissioner instructed the Director General of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) to issue show-cause notices to housing societies lacking their own waste disposal facilities, requiring them to explain their waste disposal methods. These societies must also enter into contracts with the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) to ensure proper waste disposal at the designated Losar disposal site, or risk losing their registration.

These directives were announced during a meeting at the Commissioner’s office, attended by various officials, including RDA Director General Saif Anwar Jappa, PHA Director General Ahmed Hasan Ranjha, Wasa Managing Director Mohammad Tanveer, Chief Officer of the Municipal Corporation Amjad Chaudhry, Director of Local Government Sibtain Kazmi, RWMC Chief Executive Officer Sajid Safdar, and other relevant stakeholders.

Commissioner Chatha emphasised the importance of improved inter-departmental coordination to address and resolve many of the city’s problems. He clarified that the responsibility for cleaning sewerage lines falls under Wasa’s jurisdiction, while open drains are RWMC’s responsibility.