Ali Zaidi directs to conduct inquiry into oil spillage near Mubarak village

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Marine Affairs Ali Zaidi on Sunday said the spillage of oil near Mubarak Village in October this year had occurred due to deliberate releasing of oil by captain of a ship.

Talking to journalists here in Karachi today, he said the ship was heading towards Gadani for ship-breaking.

” The Director General of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency has been directed to conduct inquiry against the captain, agent and owner of the ship,” maintained the minister

It may be mentioned that the spillage of oil had caused trouble to the villagers polluting the air and water and damaging the eco system of the coastal area.

Mubarak Village, located about 30 kilometers away at Karachi’s coastline, has been home to around 4,000 people. The serene setting of the village sitting at the Arabian Sea certainly fascinates the outsiders or those making it to the captivating beach.

The spill was first spotted and reported by local fisherman who works with local fishing communities at Abdul Rehman Goth. “We also got conflicting reports as some people think it may be due to a leak in an underwater pipeline while others say that it all came from a passing vessel,” said Usman Iqbal.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Balochistan, had also placed a ban on people visiting Churna Island, a popular scuba-diving spot for visitors, through tour operators.

Churna Island falls under the remit of Lasbela district on the Balochistan-Sindh border. The ban was imposed under the Environment Act of 2012.

According to a notification, the EPA barred tour operators from providing services to customers without obtaining NOC from the provincial Environment Department.