PESHAWAR: The Climate Change, Forest, Environment and Wildlife Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and the World Bank have joined hands to clear Peshawar’s skies through a strategic Smog Action Plan.
During a high-level consultative meeting, Secretary Junaid Khan and the World Bank technical team formalized a roadmap to manage air quality and combat rising pollution levels across the region. Supported by Special Secretary Talha Hussain Faisal, Additional Secretary Ahmad Kamal, and Member of Provincial Assembly Ahmad Karim Kundi. Senior officers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also contributed to the dialogue.
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Adopting an Airshed-Based Approach
Mr. Shafiq of the World Bank team highlighted a critical reality: air pollution does not respect administrative boundaries. He urged the government to adopt an airshed-based approach because emissions from rural or outside areas significantly impact downwind urban populations.
The delegation agreed that meaningful results require a multi-sectoral strategy. Isolated efforts will not work; instead, the following sectors must work in systematic harmony:
- Transport and Energy
- Industry and Agriculture
- Urban Planning and Local Governance
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The “35 by 35” Vision for Public Health
The World Bank team presented the “35 by 35” target, which aims for a 35 percent reduction in particulate pollution by 2035. Mr. Shafiq described this goal as realistic and attainable. He noted that aligning policy actions, technological upgrades, and public participation would deliver substantial public health and economic benefits to vulnerable citizens.
Satellite Data Identifies Pollution Hotspots
World Bank insights from satellite-based monitoring reveal that the Peshawar Valley remains one of the most polluted air basins in the region. The data shows persistently high concentrations of PM2.5, posing severe health risks.
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Under the Pakistan Country Partnership Strategy (2025–2035), the partners will prioritize “Outcome #4.” This focuses on the Greater Peshawar–Hayatabad–Frontier (GP-HF) corridor. The government will identify key emission sources in this corridor and implement unified controls, including:
- Transitioning to cleaner fuels.
- Enforcing strict vehicle emission standards.
- Ensuring industrial compliance.
- Improving waste management practices.
Overcoming Governance Bottlenecks
The World Bank’s draft gap analysis identified several challenges that currently constrain evidence-based policymaking:
- Fragmented institutional coordination.
- Limited real-time monitoring systems.
- The absence of a comprehensive emissions inventory.
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To address these, the World Bank will assist KP through a framework of regulatory reforms, institutional capacity building, and high-impact public awareness campaigns.
Government Commitment to Breathable Skies
Secretary Junaid Khan reaffirmed KP’s strong commitment to environmental protection. He designated the Special Secretary of Climate Change as the official Focal Person to lead the coordination. He also assured that the department would prepare the PC-I with transparency and technical rigor to ensure long-term sustainability.
MPA Ahmad Karim Kundi closed the session by declaring clean air a “fundamental right” of every citizen. He pledged the full support of the KP Government to transform these blueprints into breathable skies for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
