Pakistan, World Bank Collaborate on Anti-Smog and Sustainable Development Initiativ

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Islamabad: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met with World Bank Country Director Najy Benhassine in Islamabad on Thursday to discuss collaborative efforts aimed at tackling the worsening smog issue and advancing sustainable development in the capital. The region has been grappling with severe air pollution in recent weeks, with cities like Lahore and Multan suffering from hazardous levels of smog due to toxic pollutants. Multan’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has recorded alarming levels, surpassing 2,000 twice, setting new records for air pollution in the country.

In response, the Punjab government has declared an emergency in Lahore and Multan, with the effects also being felt in Islamabad, where air quality reached “very unhealthy” levels two weeks ago. During their meeting, both Naqvi and Benhassine agreed to form a joint team composed of World Bank experts and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to design and implement an anti-smog strategy. Minister Naqvi stressed the need for immediate action to address the dangerous AQI levels, which reached 271 this year in the federal capital. “We must act urgently before the situation becomes critical,” he emphasized.

While CDA previously claimed that the smog situation in Islamabad was under control, officials acknowledged the necessity for coordinated efforts and collective action from all stakeholders to improve air quality. The discussions also touched on broader areas of mutual interest, including the expansion of electric bus services, improvements in sanitation, access to clean water, and the upgrading of slums and rural areas as part of Pakistan’s ongoing sustainable development initiatives.