Minister for Transport & Mass Transit, Punjab Mr Bilal Akbar Khan chaired the meeting with World Bank delegation held at P&D Board punjab to discuss the preparation of Punjab Clean Air Program.
Acting Chairman P&D Board Mr Iftikhar Ali Sahoo welcomed the guests and briefed about the efforts of Punjab govt to mitigate the Smog conditions in punjab.
The World Bank Team led by Mr. Gailius Draugelis, Operations Manager Pakistan, apprised the forum about the proposed interventions of the Program.
Secretary Transport Mr Ahmed Javed Qazi briefed the forum about the directions of Sr Minster to work out the details and allocations of the program.
Minister for Transport & Mass Transit, Punjab Mr Bilal Akbar Khan said that the government has launched Smog Free Punjab program aims to combat air pollution through various measures including industrial conversions, transportation reforms, agricultural innovations and public awareness campaigns to improve air quality and protect health in Punjab.
Acting Chairman P&DB/Secretary Agriculture Mr iftikhar Ali Sahoo informed that Lahore and Gujranwala Division have around 3 million acers of land where rice is cultivated and in that areas straw burning causes significant air pollution and caused to the environmental issues . In order to counter this situation the Government of the Punjab has decided to provide around 5000 superseeders / happyseeders to the farmers and about 1000 will be handed over to farmers in next month .
Secretary Environment & Climate Change Mr. Raja Jahangir Anwar informed that the Sr. minister has stressed on awareness campaigns.
MD Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) Ms. Saira Omar stresses that Resource Efficient and Cleaner Practices (RECP) must be practiced on a wider scale.
MD Punjab Energy Efficiency and Conservation Agency (PEECA) Mr Abdur Rehman stated that a feasibility study is being conducted on green cooking and replacement of household stoves.
Secretary P&DB Dr Asif Tufail, Secretary Transport & Mass Transit Dr. Ahmad javaid Qazi, Secretary Environment Protection & Climate Change Department Mr Raja jahangir Anwar, Members P&D Board Sadaqat Hussain & Aslam Javaid and other relevant officers participated.
