World Bank delegation visits P&D Board to discuss the preparation of Punjab Clean Air Program

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. He further added that the quality of fuel being used in the province is very poor and there is no existing mechanism to check the quality or do sample tests. He further added that the Environment Protection and Climate Change Department may be given a share of USD 50 million in the program.

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) stated that a feasibility study is being conducted on green cooking and replacement of household stoves.

Mr. Gailius Draugelis, Operations Manager World Bank briefed about the loan size of the program and explained that right now the size of the program is USD 300 million as conveyed by the Economic Affairs Division. However, the bank will finalize after discussions with stakeholders including the Federal and Provincial Governments. This will be finalized by the 2nd week of November 2024.

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.