By Muhammad Faisa
Air pollution could soon cost Pakistan far less than expected. The National Clean Air Policy (NCAP) economic impact is projected to increase the country’s GDP by 2.77% each year, which means an estimated $480 billion growth over the next 20 years.
Documents obtained by this reporter show that the NCAP is designed to tackle Pakistan’s serious air quality problems while reducing the harmful effects of pollution on health, economic growth, and sustainable development.
Health Benefits and Lives Saved Under NCAP
The policy could also bring major health benefits. If implemented properly, Pakistan could save $24.56 billion per year in health-related costs. At a 2% annual growth rate, these measures may prevent nearly 129,500 deaths each year, the documents reveal.
Better air quality would also boost agriculture. Removing pollutants like ozone can help crops grow faster and increase productivity. This improvement in crop yields could add around $2.79 billion every year by avoiding crop losses.
Ozone pollution, in particular, threatens the nation’s food security. Reduced wheat production caused by ozone can create shortages and increase risks for the population’s food supply.
Strengthening Governance and Monitoring Systems
The documents also highlight that NCAP will strengthen governance, coordination, and institutional capacity.
A proper system will monitor and enforce air quality standards across the country, from federal to provincial levels. The policy could also help Pakistan address regional issues, including cross-border pollution.
Reducing Pollution Across Five Key Sectors
NCAP focuses on five major sectors that contribute most to air pollution: transport, industry, agriculture, waste, and households. Each sector has one priority intervention to speed up the reduction of harmful emissions.
The policy plans to implement Euro-5 and Euro-6 fuel quality standards, enforce emission limits for industries, stop burning crop residues, prevent open burning of municipal waste, and promote low-emission cooking technologies.
If fully implemented, these measures in the five key sectors could cut harmful dust particles by 38% by 2030.
The NCAP targets are based on the 2021 air quality guidelines from the World Health Organization, which focus on the highest risks to human health from short-term and long-term exposure. Progress will be carefully tracked to ensure results, the documents show.
Transforming Urban Development Through Cleaner Air
Sherry Rehman, chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and a former climate change minister who helped shape NCAP, told this reporter that the policy could transform Pakistan’s urban development.
“Cleaner air will make cities healthier, attract investment, and improve the overall quality of life. Urban centers could see fewer smog-related disruptions, fewer hospital visits, and higher productivity,” she said, emphasizing that strict enforcement and public awareness campaigns are crucial for success.
Technological Innovation and Job Creation via NCAP
Ms. Rehman added that NCAP could also drive technological innovation and create new jobs in renewable energy and green industries. “As the country moves toward cleaner transport, better waste management, and energy-efficient practices, thousands of jobs could be created in manufacturing, environmental monitoring, and maintenance,” she said.
Author Profile
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Muhammad Faisal is a journalist based in Islamabad who covers business, railway, and commerce sectors of Pakistan.
His reporting focuses on infrastructure, economic policy, and how national developments impact everyday life.
