ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday emphasised the need for a unified national approach to combat challenge of poor air quality and smog.

He noted that environmental protection is a key component of the government`s Five-E framework, which entails various measures to address these issues. Chairing a meeting, the planning minister pointed out that while there is no shortage of knowledge, the real problem lies in the lack of implementation.

He stressed that all relevant institu-tions must take joint actions to tackle this problem effectively.

Various cities of Punjab, particularly provincial capital Lahore are in grip of smog making the life of citizens highly difficult. The educational institutions in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad and Multan have been closed until November 17 in a bid to lessen children`s exposure to pollution.

The meeting, which was attended by senior officials from the World Bank, Punjab Planning and Development Department, National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF), Ministry of Environment, the Country Director of IFAD, Member Planning Commission for Environment and Climate Change, Environmental Protection Agency, civil society, NDMA, and representatives of environmental protection agencies from all provinces participated in the meeting.

The meeting also focused on poor airquality and smog issues in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

During the session, Ahsan Iqbal expressed serious concerns over the causes and worsening impact of smog, describing it as a consequence of human behavior, which now necessitates urgent action.

He highlighted that without a change in public behavior, smog and air pollution will lead to severe consequences for both health and the economy, posing a risk not only to public health but also to the country`s GDP growth rate.

He further identified cross-border pollution, vehicle emissions, crop burning, and urban development as primary causes of smog.

The negative effects of smog on public health and daily life underline the need for a public awareness campaign so that every citizen becomes mindful of their environment and personal prac-tices, he said.

The meeting underscored the importance of a coordinated strategy among federal and provincial institutions, academia, and other stakeholders. Ahsan Iqbal stressed the urgent need to develop a comprehensive action plan with an emphasis on ensuring effective implementation.

The minister also highlighted that even pristine areas like Gilgit-Baltistan are now being affected by air pollution, warning that the consequences will be severe if environmental pollution is not controlled.

He cautioned that failing to act promptly could lead to serious outcomes in the future.

Mr Iqbal called upon all institutions to collaborate in addressing this issue and to promote environmental awareness at the public level. This collective effort is essential to build a healthy and clean future.