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| February 3, 2003 | Monday | Zilhaj 1,1423 |
Environment policy being formulated
ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: The government is pursuing to develop a comprehensive policy framework through consultation with various stakeholders to deal with the environmental problems and check poverty in the country.
The Planning Commission was encouraging the stakeholders in policy making and other relevant agencies to get the programmes implemented and for the approval of required funds, official sources told APP.
The sources, however, added that there was a need to do more to achieve the objectives, as the time had come when we have to face the problem of environment and make effective policies.
By doing so appropriate allocations could be made in the budget, as we would be facing this problem in the coming days owing to international quality standards under the WTO regime, the sources added.
The sources also stressed the need for an effective regulatory framework to tackle the problem, referring to the concept ‘Polluter Pays Principle’.
The sources, however, were of the view that the environment was a global problem and not of any one country, adding, “if the US produces 70 per cent of energy through coal, while Pakistan was producing less than one per cent, then why we pay for that.”
Referring to agricultural subsidies worth billions of dollars paid by the developed world every year, the sources remarked, “if there is a level playing field for all, we will have less effects.”
There was also a need of technology transfer to avoid environmental hazards such as diesel engines, the sources said, adding, the economic growth rate was also one of the main drivers of human development index.
According to economic experts, there was a need to enhance the monitoring capacity of the Planning Commission with respect to the implementation on the public sector projects, in accordance with the international environment standards.
The environmental experts suggest to evolve approval processes for all PSDPs etc., for in-built guards for public health and sustainable livelihood, adding, there was a need of bringing the environment agenda into mainstream for not only the executive but also the legislature and judiciary.
There was a need of shifting the focus in terms of capacities and resources in a limited number of core areas such as health, industry and agriculture, said an expert, adding, the district governments have also a vital role in environmental management.—APP
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