ADVISER to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam has said that the steps are being taken to make all cities of the country green. Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, he said the Ministry has prepared Electric Vehicle Policy, envisaging introduction of one hundred thousand electric vehicles in the country in five years, to reduce air pollution and the policy will be implemented after approval by the cabinet. He also talked about green vision for Islamabad and smog reduction.
The Federal Government has launched Clean and Green Pakistan in view of environmental degradation that is not only threatening environmental sustainability but also Pakistan’s ability to tackle poverty, as well as its ability to generate a substantial share of its growth and employment. The campaign was appreciated by all those who care about future of the country and its people but its practical implementation is lacking. Despite formal launching of the campaign by the Prime Minister the sanitation conditions are deplorable and the neglect has led to widespread dengue virus that has taken precious lives. Similarly, not to speak of meaningful increase in tree plantation, which is need of the hour because of fast depletion of the forest cover, illegal felling of trees continues and that too with the connivance of officials concerned. No doubt, the Federal Government can only give policy guidelines and implement them in Islamabad but PTI also has its governments in Punjab and KP, which should have participated aggressively in the drive because of its obvious short and long term benefits. We would urge the Advisor to coordinate with the provinces for chalking out city-specific plans to check environmental issues in urban centres. Much improvement can be effected if civic agencies fulfil their responsibilities diligently, ensure lifting of garbage regularly, total ban on use of shopping bags, repair of roads and streets damaged during developmental activities and plantation on open spaces.
