TOBA TEK SINGH: Danish Ambassador to Pakistan Jakob Linulf has said there is an urgent need for wastewater treatment in developing countries to address environmental and air pollution, which exacerbate climate change.

He told a seminar on wastewater treatment organised by Faisalabad Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) on Tuesday that the ongoing ‘smog parade’ in Pakistan and neighbouring countries was due to poor environmental practices and inadequate wastewater treatment.

Ambassador Linulf said the Danish Sustainable Investment Fund (DSIF)-backed Wastewater Treatment Plant Project would reduce pollution in Faisalabad.

DSIF Director of Investments Bente Schiller shared updates on the project, saying initial work was complete, and contractors were expected to arrive in Faisalabad early next year to begin construction.

Faisalabad Development Authority Director General Muhammad Asif Chaudhry said Denmark and Pakistan had strong relations, and emphasised joint efforts to tackle air and environment pollution through this mega project.

WWTP Project Director Kamran Raza Kahlon briefed attendees on progress and future goals.

The seminar was attended by Joint Secretary of Economic Affairs Division Farah Farooq, CEO of Aab Pak Authority Syed Zahid Aziz and experts from organisations such as the Asian Development Bank, Wasa branches from Lahore, Multan, Gujranwala and Quetta, as well as other officials from various departments.

UAF: Adopting modern agricultural techniques and expert recommendations are critical to enhancing wheat productivity, said Dr Muhammad Sarwar Khan, vice chancellor of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF).

Speaking to students and faculty participating in a 13-day wheat campaign, Dr Khan said that timely sowing, certified seeds, balanced fertilizers and water-saving methods are essential for achieving higher yields.

He shared that during 2023-24, wheat was sown on 9.6 million hectares in Pakistan, a 6.6% increase from the previous year. Production reached 31.4 million tonnes, reflecting an 11.6% growth compared to last year. Dr Khan underlined the campaign’s dual benefit—helping farmers enhance productivity while providing students with practical experience in addressing agricultural challenges.

Speakers including Dr Ghulam Murtaza, Dr Shahid Ibne Zameer, Dr Muhammad Jalal Arif and Assistant Director of Agriculture Extension Dr Amir Sadiq also discussed the importance of accessible, advanced agricultural technologies for farmers.

GREE DEVELOPMENT: The Punjab Department of Environmental Protection and Climate Change, under the World Bank-supported Punjab Green Development Programme, organised a seminar on Tuesday in Faisalabad to address the harmful effects of single-use plastics. Participants included major retailers, plastic producers, students, media, government representatives, and civil society organizations.

Experts like Prof Dr Syed Waqas Ahmed of UET, Dr Salma Shahid of GCU of Faisalabad and Dr Tahir Shahzad of UAF educated attendees on the environmental and health hazards of single-use plastics, while presenting alternatives to reduce dependency on such materials.

Dr Amber Raheel, director of the Environment Department, highlighted the campaign’s goal to promote sustainable practices and foster a sense of responsibility among citizens. The seminar aimed to encourage individuals and businesses to adopt eco-friendly alternatives and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2024