By Ali Imran
ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday discussed measures to mitigate air pollution and improve environmental protection in the federal capital.
The meeting, held at the CDA headquarters, was chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Muhammad Ali Randhawa and attended by an ADB delegation led by Senior Financial Economist Andrew McCartney, along with experts from the bank’s urban team. Senior CDA officials, including Member Planning and Design Dr Khalid Hafiz and Member Finance Tahir Naeem, were also present.
According to officials, discussions focused on reducing air pollution, improving the Air Quality Index (AQI) and strengthening environmental governance in Islamabad.
Randhawa said environmental protection and curbing air pollution were among the civic agency’s top priorities.
He added that efforts were underway to preserve and expand the capital’s green cover and to implement environment-friendly initiatives in collaboration with the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration.
He said the CDA had begun implementing electric vehicle (EV) regulations last year and was promoting environment-friendly transport, including the establishment of electric charging stations. Carbon emission testing of vehicles was also being carried out to control pollution from the transport sector.
The chairman said air quality monitoring stations were being installed in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure accurate AQI data. He added that the ADB could assist Pakistan in securing carbon credits for projects that help reduce emissions.
Officials informed the meeting that work was also in progress on a solid waste management project, including the establishment of Islamabad’s first scientific landfill site. The CDA sought technical assistance from the ADB for these environment-friendly initiatives.
The participants also discussed preparing a comprehensive action plan for Islamabad under the National Clean Air Policy, improving carbon emissions data and strengthening policy and governance mechanisms.
The ADB delegation emphasised the need for reforms and practical measures in key sectors, including transport, industry, urban emissions, open waste burning, agriculture and livestock. It also expressed readiness to support multi-phased programmes, including access to green finance platforms and carbon credit markets.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation to reduce air pollution and improve environmental standards in the capital. Randhawa said the objective was to ensure a safe and healthy environment for citizens and to make Islamabad a model city for environmental protection in the country.
