Ahsan Iqbal Presses for National Strategy on Pollution
News Desk
Islamabad: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, has raised alarm over the escalating environmental pollution and smog in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, urging immediate climate-focused action to address these growing issues.
He emphasized that the worsening air quality is a direct consequence of human activity, calling for urgent intervention to mitigate its impacts on both public health and the nation’s economy.
In a meeting convened to discuss the worsening smog and pollution levels in the twin cities, Iqbal stated, “Without a fundamental shift in public behavior and policy, smog and pollution will continue to undermine public health, reduce the quality of life, and threaten national economic growth, including the GDP.”
The meeting included key stakeholders from the World Bank (WB), Punjab’s Planning and Development Department, the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), the Ministry of Environment, and environmental agencies from across the country.
During the session, Iqbal highlighted the need for a coordinated national approach to tackle the climate crisis and pollution.
He underlined that while the scientific understanding of these challenges is clear, the lack of effective implementation of existing environmental policies remains a major hurdle. “All relevant institutions must collaborate to create and enforce action plans that address climate change-induced pollution and smog,” Iqbal urged.
The minister identified cross-border pollution, vehicle emissions, agricultural practices like crop burning, and unchecked urban development as major contributors to the crisis. He emphasized that public awareness campaigns are crucial to fostering responsible environmental behavior at the individual level.
Iqbal further pointed out that even regions once considered pristine, such as Gilgit-Baltistan, are now facing the consequences of air pollution, making it clear that the impacts of climate change and pollution are becoming widespread.
He warned that unless swift action is taken to address environmental degradation, the country could face irreversible damage.
The meeting emphasized the need for a unified, cross-institutional strategy to reduce pollution, safeguard public health, and protect the country from the worsening impacts of climate change. “It is crucial to build a collective effort to ensure a sustainable and healthy future for the coming generations,” Iqbal concluded.
