Islamabad: Pakistan is moving forward with efforts to combat its escalating air pollution crisis as federal and provincial stakeholders, alongside the Asian Development Bank and environmental experts, convene to develop a detailed implementation plan for the National Clean Air Policy. Dr. Musadik Masood Malik, the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, emphasized the need for immediate and coordinated measures to address the country’s air quality issues, warning that “time is running out” and underscoring clean air as a fundamental human right.

According to Press Information Department, the three-day Stakeholders Workshop, organized by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA), and Asian Development Bank, aims to translate the National Clean Air Policy into an actionable, time-bound plan. Participants include representatives from various federal and provincial governments, development partners, academia, researchers, and civil society, all of whom are tasked with validating Pakistan’s air-quality management strategies and identifying gaps in implementation.

Dr. Malik highlighted the severity of air pollution in Pakistan, particularly in Punjab, where PM2.5 exposure far exceeds World Health Organization guidelines. He stated that the workshop is crucial for establishing priority actions, confirming institutional roles, and exploring financing opportunities. Additionally, an independent review of the policy, commissioned by ADB, seeks to create a more effective and enforceable framework.

Pak-EPA Director General Syed Abrar Hussain and Ministry Media Spokesperson Mohammad Saleem Shaikh both stressed the importance of federal-provincial collaboration and public awareness in achieving clean air goals. Mr. Hussain noted the need for a robust implementation mechanism, while Mr. Shaikh called for public engagement to ensure widespread support for clean-air initiatives. The workshop is expected to result in a comprehensive national plan, reinforcing the ministry’s commitment to coordinating efforts across all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.