ISLAMABAD: Although pollution is a silent killer but saving environment had not been priority of the past governments. Now there is no room for negligence anymore,” said Prime Minister Imran Khan while chairing a meeting on pollution-related issues in the country.
The Prime Minister underlined the importance of saving our big cities from pollution as it has huge social and economic cost. He mentioned how developed countries have shifted to modern technology including conversion of public transport to electric vehicles (EV). He directed that new buses for all metros in the country should be electric vehicles. “We must incentivize industry for shifting their units in the cities to outside and the use of modern technology for environment safety,” he added.
The Prime Minister directed the Punjab Government to adopt a comprehensive smog control policy at the earliest. He directed the Federal Government and Provincial Governments of Punjab and KP to immediately work on a short, medium and long term comprehensive plan for forward looking policies with the timelines for implementation.
Earlier the Prime Minister was briefed that vehicles, Industrial units, burning of waste material and burning of crops are the major sources of sir pollution. The Prime Minister directed to put in place robust air quality control system, get major Industrial units like brick kilns and steel furnaces relocated to outside the cities with effective restrictions, and incentivize use of quality fuel and gradual replacement of vehicles with electric vehicles (EV).
He also stressed on the need of a dialogue with regional countries to protect the environment through collective efforts. “We should also take all steps to increase green cover of our cities through Miyawaki forest technique,” he added. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of massive public awareness campaign to bring behavioral change in people for the protection on environment. The meeting was attended by SAPM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam, MOS on Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan and senior officers concerned. Chief Minister Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar joined the meeting via video link.