The federal cabinet passed the Clean Air Policy on Thursday, with the ambitious aim of decreasing pollution to add two years to the average life expectancy of Pakistan’s people.

The ministry of climate change told the cabinet that air pollution has significantly increased in recent years. It cited the Air Quality Index report 2022-23 to say that Karachi and Lahore, the two biggest cities by population in the country, are the worst affected by air pollution.

As a result of the recent increase in air pollution, the average life expectancy has decreased by 2.7 years. The ministry also referenced a 2016 report by the World Bank to say that the effect of pollution on the ocuntry’s economy is substantial.

The new policy has also focused on the health related effects of air pollution, which have seen a steep increase with the increase in smog.

The policy has recommended that the fuel being used across the country be upgraded from Euro 5 to Euro 6, pollution from factories be effectively controlled and modern methods be introduced in agriculture to minimise burning of stalks. It has also called for ways to ensure that less gas is used in household cooking.

The policy has set an ambitious target of decreasing the release of harmful gases by 40% over the next 10 years. Compliance with the policy will be ensured by an action committee and a technical committee. The national committee will also carry out a review after five years and upgrade the policy if necessary.