Islamabad: In a strategic move to address the rising smog levels in the federal capital, a high-level meeting led by Islamabad Chief Commissioner and Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa outlined a series of initiatives aimed at improving air quality. Senior officials, including representatives from the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) and other key government departments, convened at the CDA headquarters to develop a comprehensive action plan.
According to Zameen.Com, the meeting highlighted the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for Islamabad, which stood at 192 as of November 13, 2024. This figure is derived from measurements of Particulate Matter (PM2.5), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and Carbon Monoxide (CO), and poses potential health risks. Pak-EPA assured that the smog situation remains manageable and committed to releasing regular AQI updates to keep the public informed.
Key measures discussed include stringent vehicle emissions control, requiring fitness certification for all vehicles, and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy for those emitting excessive smoke. Heavy vehicles and buses will be targeted in a crackdown, with legal actions against non-compliant owners. Construction sites will manage dust pollution through water sprinkling, and monitoring of emission hotspots and border areas will be enhanced using the Safe City project's camera network. Non-compliant brick kilns face a permanent shutdown, while waste burning at dumping sites will be prevented through inspections.
To elevate public awareness, collaborative campaigns involving the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and local FM stations will be launched. Health advisories and preventive measures, such as mask usage, will be promoted through symposiums, awareness walks, and poster distributions by the CDA Hospital and other public health institutions.
The meeting concluded with calls for coordinated efforts among stakeholders to elevate Islamabad's air quality. The objective is to align with international environmental standards and ensure transparency and efficiency in implementation.