PM’s aide orders action over declining air quality in Islamabad

Islamabad : Taking a serious notice of the rapidly worsening air quality in the capital city and its surrounding areas in recent days, Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam on Wednesday directed the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency to take necessary corrective measures in coordination with official stakeholders, including Islamabad Capital Territory Administration and Capital Development Authority.

"The deteriorating air quality of Islamabad from the onset of mid-October has particularly started worsened further, leaving the city’s ambience murky with increasing pollution, dust and vehicular emissions raising alarm bells for smog risk," the PM’s climate aide noted.

She said the poor air quality in Islamabad, like many urban areas, could be attributed to several factors.

Ms Alam said the main causes included vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, burning of waste and crop residue. “Addressing these drivers of bad air quality in the city requires stringent enforcement of the relevant environmental regulations and fines. And, adoption of better waste management practices and public awareness campaigns to combat pollution effectively are essential to compliment the air quality improving measures," she said.

The aid to the PM urged residents to play their part by avoiding burning of waste and crop residue. She also said the city’s waste collection authorities should regularly collect the waste from designated points and dispose of it properly on environmentally sustainable and scientific manner to avoid its burning by the people in streets.

Pak-EPA officials said that efforts are being taken to tackle the growing air pollution in the capital city for protection of public health from its hazardous impacts.