ISLAMABAD, Oct 28, 2026: Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik has said air pollution and smog place the greatest burden on poor and vulnerable communities, while people with resources can protect themselves to some extent through air purifiers and other safeguards.<\/p>\n
Addressing the Pakistan National Clean Air Conference 2026, the minister said air pollution was a crisis created by human activity and policy choices, with its damaging effects on health and the economy falling most heavily on those who have limited means to shield themselves.<\/p>\n
He said Pakistan was facing economic losses equal to 6.5 percent of its gross domestic product because of air pollution. These losses, he added, included illness, hospital treatment and financial pressure on affected families.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the public health impact of polluted air, Dr Malik referred to patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, who require oxygen and medicines. Citing a UNICEF report, he said air pollution was affecting children\u2019s lung health and development.<\/p>\n
The federal minister said the ability to avoid the harmful effects of air pollution was not the same for all sections of society. Affluent families could install air purifiers in their homes, but children going to school in polluted air and labourers earning a living outdoors faced direct exposure.<\/p>\n
He said pushcart vendors, farmers and other people working in open environments were also affected by air pollution. Farmers who burned crop residue were not safe from the pollution generated by that practice, he added.<\/p>\n
Dr Malik stressed that some people and communities linked to sources of pollution also suffered from its consequences. He said practical measures were needed that took into account not only environmental concerns but also the economic conditions and livelihoods of affected populations.<\/p>\n
He said air pollution should be treated as a policy issue rather than an unavoidable natural disaster, as industrial activity and human actions had contributed to the crisis and effective policymaking could help address it.<\/p>\n
The minister cited the construction of the Karakoram Highway in difficult mountainous terrain and efforts to control dengue as examples of how complex challenges could be tackled through commitment and effective action.<\/p>\n
Referring to China\u2019s experience, he said Beijing and Shanghai were once counted among the world\u2019s most polluted cities, but China was now among the major exporters of solar energy technology.<\/p>\n
Dr Malik said Pakistan could also make progress in controlling air pollution through implementation of effective policies, modern technology and support from development partners.<\/p>\n
He announced a plan to establish a $10 million fund for clean air start-ups, saying the government had decided to create the fund from its own resources despite financial constraints, while also seeking support from development partners for the purpose. He said approval of the fund\u2019s board was expected the next day.<\/p>\n
The federal minister described the proposed fund as a responsibility towards future generations, saying it was not merely a grant or a loan but a commitment to protect the coming generations. He said the government would continue its clean air efforts with or without the support of external partners.<\/p>\n
He also appreciated the role of development partners, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF and the German development agency GIZ, in climate-related initiatives.<\/p>\n
Dr Malik said the pursuit of clean air required a focus on engineering solutions, effective policies and provision of financial resources instead of relying only on slogans and announcements.<\/p>\n
He reaffirmed the government\u2019s commitment to implementing practical measures, in cooperation with development partners, to improve air quality, reduce pollution and protect public health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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