Parliamentary panel suggests reduction in taxes on hybrid vehicles
Urges higher penalties on entities breaking environmental laws
A Pakistani vendor carries baloons on a street amid heavy smog in Lahore. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
A parliamentary panel has suggested to the federal government to reduce taxes on hybrid cars, while urging regulators to increase penalties against violators of environmental laws.
The Standing Committee discussed the implementation of the Climate Change Act- 2017 and the current status of the Climate Change Authority. Ministry of Climate Change Secretary Syed Abu Ahmed Akif briefed the committee members that in July this year the ministry had written a letter to the establishment division for preparation of rules of business for Climate Change Authority (CCA).
Smog hits Multan, disturbs flights
The establishment division has failed to make progress on the issue, Akif lamented, adding that the Climate Change Council would comprise over 40 members out of which 30 would be from the private sector and 10 from the public sector. In response, MNA Kishwar Khan urged the ministry to include at least one member each from the National Assembly and Senate to ensure parliamentary oversight.
The standing committee also highlighted growing pollution at the national level, while also expressing concern over dangers to marine life in the country’s water bodies specifically the death of a large number of fish in the Rawal Dam in July. The committee criticised contradictory stances provided by the Islamabad Capital Administration which attributed the deaths to the pouring of poisonous substances in Rawal Lake, whereas Pak-EPA blamed bacterial contamination.
Standing Committee also discussed the measures being taken by the climate ministry and Paki-EPA to improve air quality of Pakistan. Climate Secretary Akif told the committee that an Environment Monitoring System (EMS) was launched with the cooperation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Pak-EPA back in 2005 aims to strengthen the capacity and activities of ambient air monitoring systems and management.
He said after grant utilisation in 2010 the system was dysfunctional, however, Pak-EPA now had revived the system at a cost of Rs1.8 million. The committee members also deliberated over the pollution created by vehicles. At this Ministry of Petroleum’s representative Mushahidullah told the committee members that all oil refineries, except two, were producing Euro-II compliance petroleum products.
18 killed in accidents across Punjab as smog engulfs province
The committee members were also told that licenses for coal-based power plants were being issued by provinces. At this Mushahidullah told the committee that Pakistan’s electricity generation through coal was negligible as compared to India’s and China’s which meet 40% and 60% of their energy needs through coal respectively.
He said that Pakistan is now generating 35% of its electricity through renewable resources, adding that refineries not fulfilling Euro-II standards have been fined by the ministry.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2017.
A parliamentary panel has suggested to the federal government to reduce taxes on hybrid cars, while urging regulators to increase penalties against violators of environmental laws.
The Standing Committee discussed the implementation of the Climate Change Act- 2017 and the current status of the Climate Change Authority. Ministry of Climate Change Secretary Syed Abu Ahmed Akif briefed the committee members that in July this year the ministry had written a letter to the establishment division for preparation of rules of business for Climate Change Authority (CCA).
Smog hits Multan, disturbs flights
The establishment division has failed to make progress on the issue, Akif lamented, adding that the Climate Change Council would comprise over 40 members out of which 30 would be from the private sector and 10 from the public sector. In response, MNA Kishwar Khan urged the ministry to include at least one member each from the National Assembly and Senate to ensure parliamentary oversight.
The standing committee also highlighted growing pollution at the national level, while also expressing concern over dangers to marine life in the country’s water bodies specifically the death of a large number of fish in the Rawal Dam in July. The committee criticised contradictory stances provided by the Islamabad Capital Administration which attributed the deaths to the pouring of poisonous substances in Rawal Lake, whereas Pak-EPA blamed bacterial contamination.
Standing Committee also discussed the measures being taken by the climate ministry and Paki-EPA to improve air quality of Pakistan. Climate Secretary Akif told the committee that an Environment Monitoring System (EMS) was launched with the cooperation of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Pak-EPA back in 2005 aims to strengthen the capacity and activities of ambient air monitoring systems and management.
He said after grant utilisation in 2010 the system was dysfunctional, however, Pak-EPA now had revived the system at a cost of Rs1.8 million. The committee members also deliberated over the pollution created by vehicles. At this Ministry of Petroleum’s representative Mushahidullah told the committee members that all oil refineries, except two, were producing Euro-II compliance petroleum products.
18 killed in accidents across Punjab as smog engulfs province
The committee members were also told that licenses for coal-based power plants were being issued by provinces. At this Mushahidullah told the committee that Pakistan’s electricity generation through coal was negligible as compared to India’s and China’s which meet 40% and 60% of their energy needs through coal respectively.
He said that Pakistan is now generating 35% of its electricity through renewable resources, adding that refineries not fulfilling Euro-II standards have been fined by the ministry.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 5th, 2017.