In March 2023, Pakistan approved the National Clean Air Policy (NCAP), followed by the Punjab Clean Air Plan (PbCAP) in April, aiming to address the country’s deteriorating air quality.
Both policies exhibit shortcomings and lack insights from peer countries as well as neglect critical points. While some positive elements include revising emission standards and prioritising an emission inventory, the policies fall short by proposing relaxed air quality standards, neglecting emission load reduction, overlooking transboundary pollution, and lacking legal backing.
The federal-level NCAP’s absence of strong legal support allows provincial policies to deviate, risking weakened targets.
Recommendations include enhancing air quality monitoring, tightening standards, adopting an emission load reduction approach, and developing comprehensive action plans at city/regional, provincial, and national levels. Emphasising a dynamic and globally informed policy, future amendments should address highlighted deficiencies for effective clean air initiatives.
