Following a complaint made by the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum that a large number of dead fish had been found along the coast from Karachi last week, the Sindh government has warned local tanners to only discharge effluent after it has been treated properly.

According to local media, Sindh Environment Adviser Noman Saigal asked tanneries and other chemical industries to stop discharging toxic effluent immediately and ordered them to install treatment plants within 15 days or be prepared to face the legal action.

During a visit to Ibrahim Hyderi, a nearby village, and other areas along the coast, where huge stocks of dead fish have been washed ashore, Mr Saigal instructed officials from the Environmental Protection Agency to issue notices with immediate effect to the tanneries and other chemical facilities to stop discharging toxic waste forthwith and to install treatment plants within 15 days. "In case of violation of the environmental laws, the factories could be sealed off as well," he warned.

A CETP waste treatment plant is currently being constructed in the Korangi Industrial area of Karachi where these tanneries are located.