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ISLAMABAD, Nov 12 (APP):Minister for Planning, Develop
ment and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday expressed serious concerns over the growing env
ironmental pollution and smog in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, stressing the need to tackle these issues on an emergency basis.
He described the causes and worsening impact of the smog as a ‘consequence’ of human behavior, which now necessitated urgent action.
Chairing a meeting on the escalating smog and air pollution in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, he said “Without a change in public behavior, smog and air pollution will lead to severe consequences for both health and the economy, posing a risk not only to public health but also to the country’s GDP growth rate.”
Among others, the meeting was attended by senior officials from the World Bank (WB), the Punjab Planning and Develop
ment Department, the National Disaster Risk Manage
ment Fund (NDRMF), the Ministry of Env
ironment, the Country Director of the International Fund for Agricultural Develop
ment (IFAD), Nadia Rehman, Member of the Planning Commission for Environ
ment and Climate Change, representatives from the Env
ironmental Protection Agency, civil society, the NDMA and env
ironmental protection agencies from all provinces.
During the meeting, Ahsan Iqbal called for a unified national approach to combat this challenge.
He said env
ironmental protection was a key component of the government’s Five-E framework, which includes various measures to address these issues.
He pointed out that while there was no shortage of knowledge on the matter, the real problem was the lack of implementation, stressing that all relevant institutions must take joint actions to tackle the issue effectively.
The minister further identified cross-border pollution, vehicle emissions, crop burning and urban develop
ment as primary contributors to smog. “The negative effects of smog on public health and daily life underline the need for a public awareness campaign so that every citizen becomes mindful of their environ
ment and personal practices,” he added.
The meeting underscored the importance of a coordinated strategy among federal and provincial institutions, academia, and other stakeholders.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed the urgent need to develop a comprehensive action plan emphasizing effective implementation.
The minister also highlighted that even pristine areas like Gilgit-Baltistan were now being affected by air pollution, warning that the consequences would be severe if env
ironmental pollution were not controlled.
He cautioned that failing to act promptly could lead to serious outcomes in the future.
Ahsan Iqbal called upon all institutions to collaborate to address this issue and promote env
ironmental awareness at the public level. “This collective effort is essential to building a healthy and clean future,” he remarked.
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