The government has been provided $18 .76 million by donors to implement 23 Ozone-friendly projects under Montreal Protocol.
"Out of these projects, 20 have been sponsored by the World Bank and 13 by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) but only 10 have so far been completed," said Khalid Masood Ahmed, Project Director Ozone Cell at a seminar organised in connection to observe International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer.
The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) was asked to further reduce the customs duty on non-ozone depleting substance (non-ODS) to encourage their use, and collectorates were asked to help in prevention of the ozone depleting substances, he said.
Minister for Environment Major Tahir Iqbal (Retd) on the occasion said steps were being taken and customs and excise departments have been tasked to provide list of all those companies and people importing ODS.
He also called upon the industrialists to take benefit of the opportunity and convert their systems on the alternate of ODS, as the world community was ready to pay the cost.
The minister said that as per schedule, Pakistan was required to phase out 85 percent Carbon Tetra Chloride (CTC) in 2005, which, he said was a difficult target. However, he added that the ministry was making all-out efforts with the co-operation of all stakeholders like ministry of commerce, Central Board of Revenue, Customs Department and CTC importers to achieve the target to meet its commitments under the Montreal Protocol.
Tahir Iqbal also apprised the participants that the ministry of environment had taken numerous initiatives on different environmental issues.
Malik Amin Aslam, minister of state for environment, said Pakistan has reduced its Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) consumption by more than 50 percent in 2004.
Similarly, he said the consumption of Halon is also reduced and expressed the optimism of arresting the consumption of CTC, which at present is increasing but added that effective legislation has lessen its consumption to 15 percent.
Khalid Masood also highlighted the importance of Ozone layer for the protection of life on earth and apprised the participants of the serious consequences of Ozone depletion for life on earth.
"Pakistan was using 1680 tonnes of CFC, 15 tonnes of Halon and about 550 tonnes of CTC," he added.
Environment secretary Khalid Latif Chaudhry referred to a decision made during the meeting of Pakistan Environment Protection Council whereby it was decided that the environmental protection should be treated as a movement by active participation of the government, civil society and private sector.