Senior Political Assistant to Chief Minister Punjab, Muhammad Pervez Malik has called for taking measures on war footing basis to check rapidly increasing environmental pollution, as environmental issues may hamper the country's economy.
He said this while addressing a function held in connection with "World Environmental Day", here on Friday. Experts on the occasion threw lights on host of environmental issues confronted to the country. A large number of people including businessmen were present on the occasion.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader maintained that almost all the major countries including European Union had already set very strict environmental standards and showed reluctance to import goods, specially food items, from countries like Pakistan where environmental problems are rampant.
He said the European Union was a major trade partner of Pakistan. "If Pakistani exports to European Union go down, it would be a big blow for our economy, as the country was already facing many crisis including energy and law and order, therefore, it cannot afford any more."
He said government and masses would have to pay attention towards the issue of pollution; otherwise, it would not only play a major role to derail Pakistan's economy but also leave adverse effects on our future generations. He said the country would have to look more vigorously into all environments related issues ranging from fast increasing levels of air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution.
He said a study report of World Health Organisation (WHO) says that in the developing world, pollution is responsible for 5 percent of total deaths. As far as Lahore is concerned, every year more than 1300 people lose their lives because of disease produced by polluted environment.
Malik said 22 percent Lahorites are suffering from asthma, a disease that born and grow in only polluted environment. He called for creating more awareness among public to check the growing problem of pollution. The government must initiate a campaign to create awareness among the masses, regarding deadly and unaffordable effects of pollution on Pakistani economy and nation, he added. He said the Indian government has done a lot to curtail the pollution and yield very positive results by initiating awareness campaign. A large number of Indian drivers turn their vehicle engines off at traffic signal, not only to save fuel but also to control pollution generated by the fuel, he added. This suit must also be followed in Pakistan, he asserted.
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