Islamabad: Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr. Musadik Malik highlighted the disproportionate impact of air pollution on impoverished communities during the Pakistan National Clean Air Conference 2026. He announced a $10 million fund aimed at fostering clean-air startups to address this environmental challenge.

According to Press Information Department, Dr. Malik emphasized that air pollution, driven by policy and economic choices, imposes significant health and economic burdens, especially on those unable to afford protective measures. The economic toll of air pollution in Pakistan amounts to 6.5 percent of the nation’s GDP, largely due to illness and hospitalization costs.

Dr. Malik pointed to the adverse effects on public health, referencing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and noting the harmful impact on children’s lung health as reported by UNICEF. He underscored the varying effects of smog across socioeconomic lines, with outdoor workers like street vendors and farmers facing the greatest exposure.

The Minister called for recognizing the dual role of communities both contributing to and suffering from pollution, particularly through practices like crop-residue burning. He stressed the importance of policy-driven solutions to tackle air pollution, using examples like the Karakoram Highway construction and China’s transition to solar technology to illustrate potential progress.

In announcing the $10 million clean-air startup fund, Dr. Malik described it as a commitment to future generations and highlighted the contributions of development partners such as the World Bank and UNICEF. He urged for a shift from declarations to actionable engineering solutions and policies to enhance air quality and protect public health.