ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan has outlined major policy initiativesto counter the growing impact of pollution.
While talking to the media, he said that an urban forest near Lahore willbe planted to help curb emission adding, “Lahore has lost 70 percent oftrees during the last 10 years. It has far-reaching consequences.”
He remarked that vehicular emission is the largest contributor to airpollution in the country and in a bid to curb this, the government islooking to import Euro IV emission standard fuel.
He added, “By the end of 2020, we will shift to the Euro V emissionstandard. This will help in reducing toxic emissions from vehicles.”
He said that Pakistan’s oil supply is dependent on oil imports with 50-60%of the total supply being imported. The oil being imported meets theEuropean Union’s Euro 2 emission standard.
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We have decided we will import a cleaner environmental friendly oil, [whichwill meet] the Euro 4 standard and added that the Euro IV has lesserchemicals that pollute the air.
A three-year deadline will be given to the oil refineries, during whichthey will have to enhance the quality of the fuel. If any refinery fails tomeet the directives, it will be closed down after the deadline lapses. Healso talked about the government’s move to shift the auto sector towardselectric vehicles.
The PM added that they would bring all the relevant stakeholders to thetable and address their reservations. He said that in a bit to boost theproduction of Electric Vehicles, the government will be providingincentives.
