By Ajibola Adedoye
An approach well grounded in scientific evidence and global best practices is very essential to effectively manage the severe decline in air quality across Punjab and other region of Pakistan which has reached hazardous levels. If well applied it will go a long way in protection the health and well being of million of citizens of the South-Asian country.
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The Pakistan Air Quality Experts (PAQx) Group made this submission in a letter titled “Urgent Action on Pakistani
According to the group: “Data on particulate matter pollution indicates that October and November 2024 have been the worst on record, with air quality levels exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and
surpassing Pakistanis own legal limits. The widespread impact of this pollution is being felt across
major urban centers, with millions of citizens suffering from respiratory ailments and other health complications”.
“As a matter of urgency, the government of Pakistan needs to
shut down all brick kilns, control vehicle emission and temporarily curtailed heavy transport” says the PAQx Group.
PAQx Group offers the following
12-point agenda based on evidence, data and local understanding of key issues to guide the development of a sustainable plan for cleanair:
“1. Proactive and comprehensive policy-making: Airpollution is a year-round challenge that requires long term, coordinated, evidence based solutions across multiple sectors including health, education, energy, transport, oil standards, and finally trans boundary cooperation.
2. Alignment with WHO Air Quality Standards: Revising Pakistanis Air Quality standards to align with WHO guidelines based on health outcomes. We propose adopting interim target 1 of the WHO air quality guidelines as a short term goal to be achieved within 3 years for designated attainment airsheds.
3. Nationwide Real-time Air Quality Monitoring Network: Establishing a comprehensive, and responsive policymaking. Such a system would provide continuous real-time data
nationwide real-time air quality monitoring network is crucial for informed decision-making
enabling timely alerts and empowering both citizens and policy makers to take swift, effective action in managing air quality.
4. Airshed-Level Management: Policies should focus on managing pollution across the
departments to enforce air quality standards as an over arching target to ensure compliance cooperation.
5. Establish clean air zones as apilot: Designate Lahore and the twin cities of Ralwapindi/Islamabad as focal points for attaining clean air while policies are being planned.
6. Sustainable Urban Planning and Transportation: A shift toward urban planning that prioritizes
sustainable public transit and low-emission technologies.
7. Strengthening Regulatory Capacity: Enhance the government’s regulatory capacity across departments to enforce air quality standards as an overarching target to ensure compliance across all sectors.
8. Transition to Clean Technology: Accelerating the transition to clean technologies, such as electric mobility, clean industrial practices, and alternative cooking and heating solutions, should be prioritized along with a focus on improving overall energy efficiency.
9. Upgrade of fuel quality: Vehicle emissions standards to be equivalent to Euro 6 standards,
along with upgrades of fuel quality available in the supply chain.
10. Evidence-based Decision-Making: Prioritizing epidemiological research to better understand the health impacts of air pollution.
11. Equitable and sustainable policies: Air pollution disproportionately affects vulnerable communities and has significant ecological impacts. Addressing these inequalities should be a central focus of policy development.
12. Crop Residue Management: A targeted strategy to engage farmers and the introduction of
technological solutions for residue management to support adoption of sustainabe alternatives.”
According to the group, these recommendations reflect a collaborative, science based approach to tackling air pollution.
“We believe that their implementation will help Pakistan move toward a cleaner, healthier future. The PAQx Group is fully committed to working alongside the government and other stakeholders to craft policies that address the root causes of pollution and protect public health”.
The PAQx Group is a coalition of 27 professionals from fields such as
public health, environmental science, law, and economics. The group remains committed to addressing this public health crisis. While the National Clean Air Policy and Punjab’s Clean Air and Smog Mitigation global best practices is essential to effectively manage air pollution.
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