World Bank's support to Pakistan by approving $300 million loan to reduce air pollution

Poor Pakistan is getting buried under the burden of debt day by day. Where once again the World Bank has shown mercy on Pakistan and approved Pakistan's request for a loan. If media reports are to be believed, the World Bank approved a $300 million loan to reduce air pollution in Pakistan's Punjab province on Sunday. The loan has been provided by the International Development Association (IDA) under the Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP) and was approved by the Board of Directors of the World Bank Group on Friday.

Air pollution in the Punjab province of Pakistan remains a source of concern for the people. The Shahbaz government has also failed to solve this issue so far. In such a situation, the announcement of the Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP) will be a source of some relief for the people of Punjab since the program is likely to improve air quality management in Punjab and reduce the increasing pollution in the province. It will supplement the Punjab government's 'Smog Mitigation Action Plan' (SMAP) and launch a series of programs to improve air quality and public health across the province, improving sectors such as transport, agriculture, industry, energy, and municipal services.

World Bank (WB) Country Director for Pakistan Naji Benhassine has said that the Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP) supports the province's smog mitigation plan and is an important initiative to improve air quality. He said that this program will improve the health and well-being of millions of people, as it will reduce respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and create a healthy environment.

The Punjab Clean Air Program aims to reduce respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and create a healthier, better environment. The program aims to reduce PM 2.5 levels by 35 percent in the next 10 years, providing relief to 13 million people of Lahore division from respiratory problems and pollution-related diseases.

The program will take several steps to improve air quality, such as the use of 5,000 super seeders to reduce the problem of burning crop residues. At the same time, 600 electric buses will start operating to reduce pollution in public transport and air quality monitoring stations will be expanded across Punjab. Also, two new fuel testing laboratories will be set up to improve fuel quality.