Pakistan's Prime Minister Calls for Environmental Protection

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has directed the environment ministry to work out a reliable plan to do away with marine pollution caused by crude oil leakage from ship. He gave this direction at a briefing by environment ministry here on Tuesday.

The prime minister said, "We would have to make better arrangement to avoid Tasman Espirit like accident. There is a need for a reliable and operational strategy to prevent marine pollution caused by frequent leakages from oil carriers. This would not only help conserve environment but would also protect marine life."

Mr. Aziz asked the ministry to benefit from expertise of environment conservationists in this regard. The prime minister stressed the need for a better coordination between ministries and agencies concerned to avert Tasman Espirit like tragedies in future. Environment minister Tahir Iqbal, state minister for environment Malik Amin Aslam and senior ministry officials also attended the briefing.