LAHORE: Pakistan’s worsening air quality and the urgent need for cleaner transport solutions were in focus at a climate action dialogue hosted by BYD Pakistan–Mega Motor Company (MMC) this week.
Citing IQAir data, speakers noted that Pakistan remains among the world’s most polluted countries, with average PM2.5 levels far exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. In major cities such as Lahore, winter smog routinely pushes pollution to hazardous levels, posing serious public health and economic challenges.
Participants referred to research by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (2024), which shows that the transport sector contributes over 43 per cent of national emissions and up to 80 per cent in densely populated urban centres. They agreed that shifting to cleaner mobility options offers one of the fastest and most effective ways to cut emissions and improve air quality.
The dialogue, attended by experts from the energy, climate and finance sectors, focused on scaling up clean mobility solutions amid recurring smog and structural constraints. Speakers called for stronger implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Policy, clearer incentives for clean vehicles and the removal of regulatory bottlenecks slowing adoption.
They also emphasised the importance of private-sector participation, alongside government support, to develop charging infrastructure and build local capacity. Participants stressed that coordinated policies and closer collaboration between industry and regulators were essential to turn discussion into tangible climate action.
