26 October 2004	Tuesday	11 Ramazan 1425

ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: Brazil and Pakistan would explore the possibilities of working together in the fields of environment, forestry and cleaner emission technologies.

This was discussed at a meeting between Federal Minister for Environment, Maj (retired) Tahir Iqbal and Brazilian Ambassador Fausto M. Godoy here on Monday.

The ambassador who paid a courtesy call on the minister offered to provide support for the introduction of an efficient afforestation system in Pakistan as Brazil has well established forestry institutes and good afforestation systems.

He said that his government would finance the visits of foresters and environmentalists to Brazil to find possible avenues of learning and experience sharing.

He said that varieties of seeds and plants suitable for Pakistan can also be provided by Brazil. The Ambassador also assured full cooperation in the areas of air pollution monitoring and clean emission technologies.

The minister thanked the ambassador for his support and said Pakistan would benefit from the technical and professional expertise of Brazil in the fields of forestation, air pollution control and emission testing systems.

He said Brazil was well ahead of Pakistan in these areas, therefore, assistance and support for introducing advanced technologies and systems from Brazil would be welcomed, he added.

The minister said he is trying to introduce the best and safest available clean emission technology in Pakistan and is considering all available options internationally.

The minister said increasing air pollution was a major area of concern and efforts were also under way for converting diesel buses and trucks to CNG.

The minister said Pakistan had a vast field to cover in the environment sector and government was sincerely working to tackle these issues. He added that Pakistan would soon ratify Kyoto Protocol to be in line with the international environment community.-APP