A ship containing dangerous materials has arrived at Gadani ship breaking yard in Balochistan, despite clear warnings by Interpol.
According to reports, Interpol had asked Pakistan and its Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to not allow the ship into the country which contains 1,500 tonnes of mercury-mixed oil. The ship was denied permission by India and Bangladesh to berth, but Pakistan allowed it to enter its waters despite the clear warning by Interpol.
The ship was not allowed by the Bangladeshi and Indian authorities due to the dangerous substance aboard it which poses a serious threat to the environment.
According to the report published in The News; “The owners of the ship had succeeded to bring it to Gadani after obtaining permission from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) without getting the required approval from [the] concerned departments.”
Mercury-mixed oil sludge is being removed from the ship and filled in drums for sale. Workers have complained of severe burning and rashes on their hands and face and breathing difficulties.
After the news broke and Pakistani authorities were being question, the Balochistan government ordered an inquiry into the arrival of the ship loaded with dangerous materials.
“Government has formed a committee to probe into the arrival of the ship”, Liaquat Shahwani, the Spokesman for Balochistan government said.
“We stopped all operational activities after receiving a letter from the ministry of climate change:, Imran Kakar, an officer of the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) said.
The ship anchored at Gidani shipyard on 30th of April and work was underway to dismantle it. The EPA on Wednesday stopped work on its breaking and sealed the dock. As per the reports, the ship was coming from Indonesia.