Traders call for cross-border smog solutions

Say smog poses serious risks to businesses and human health

RAWALPINDI:

Expressing serious concerns over smog, the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) urged diplomatic dialogue with the Indian authorities.

The chamber also urged urgent attention to increasing the challenge of smog by collaborating with relevant stakeholders.

Addressing a press conference flanked by Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Director Dr Zaigham Abbas, RCCI President Usman Shaukat underlined the need to counter highly impacting climate issues through massive awareness and initiatives, saying smog is a serious issue that needs to be discussed with India at the government level, beyond political issues.

"India is also affected by smog, but the border areas adjacent to Pakistan are more affected. Smog poses serious risks to businesses and human health," he said, adding there is a need to adopt the artificial rain method to alleviate the situation arising due to smog.

He observed that 30% of the smog in Pakistan is a result of combustion from the Indian side. "We need to initiate diplomatic dialogue with Indian authorities."

"The residents of Rawalpindi and other cities are severely affected by smog like the dwellers in Lahore and Multan and immediate action is necessary to mitigate its negative effects on the economy and human health."

Shaukat further said that due to smog, the movement of all trade shipment containers is delayed, adding delays in the delivery of raw materials are leading to a shortage of medicines in the market.

"Supply chain closure due to smog has resulted in delaying delivery of consignments. Medicines and other essential goods are being transported due to the issue", he said and urged that relevant stakeholders should chalk out the practicable way forward in this regard.

Highlighting the RCCI's strategy, Usman said that the business community would collaborate with all other relevant authorities to work on deforestation, vehicle inspection, technical intervention like artificial rain, substantial fuel burning, maximizing the introduction of zig-zag technology for brick kilns etc.

He called upon all stakeholders including the EPA to play their role in addressing smog.

EPA Director Dr Zaigham Abbas, speaking on the occasion, said that dumping of garbage is not allowed in Punjab including Rawalpindi.

Drawing attention to the garbage dump adjacent to the Rawalpindi Press Club, he said that unless land is not decided, the dumping site will continue to cause environmental pollution.

"Recommendations will be sent to the provincial and district governments regarding the dumping station of the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC)."

Dr Zaigham said that the electrical vehicles policy is being implemented to introduce environment-friendly vehicles, adding long-term and short-term planning is needed to deal with smog. The air index of PM2.5 remains harmful to health, which could result in breathing and bronchitis issues, he added.

He further said that a recent survey held in Islamabad revealed that the federal capital receives 80% of the pollutants from vehicle emissions. He informed the media that 95% of the brick kilns in Islamabad have been shifted to zig-zag technology.