Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Vice President Senator Sherry Rehman expressed deep concern over Pakistan’s alarming air pollution levels, as highlighted in the annual report by the Swiss air monitoring organization IQAir. According to the report, Pakistan ranked second in the list of the world’s most polluted cities in 2023, with an air pollution level of 73.7 PM, surpassing the dangerous threshold.
Senator Rehman urged the implementation of the National Clean Air Policy, 2023, to reduce air pollution to safe levels. The policy sets clear targets to reduce PM2.5 emissions by 38% in 2030 compared to the baseline scenario and by 21% compared to 2020 levels. It also aims to reduce emissions by 81% in 2040 compared to the baseline scenario and by 70% compared to 2020 levels.
Despite the conclusion of winter, cities like Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and numerous others in Pakistan remain on the list of polluted areas. Senator Rehman emphasized that taking decisive action, such as implementing the National Clean Air Policy, is essential to reduce air pollution to safe levels.
The National Clean Air Policy outlines specific measures across five key sectors to accelerate progress in reducing air pollutant emissions, including transport, industry, agriculture, waste, and households/residential. Senator Rehman highlighted the importance of effective implementation of these measures by both provincial and federal governments to achieve tangible improvements in air quality and safeguard public health.
