ISLAMABAD, March 4: The minister of state for environment, Maj (retired) Tahir Iqbal, on Thursday said the government would soon be launching a comprehensive emission control programme to check air pollution.

He also called upon manufacturers, oil dealers and transporters to observe environment quality standards and cooperate with the government in its efforts for a cleaner environment.

"Manufacturers, oil dealers and the transporters will collectively have to ensure measures for controlling air and noise pollution and make this programme a success," he said while speaking at the National Consultative meeting on Reduction of Vehicular Emissions.

Prospects of replacing two stoke vehicle engines particularly in rickshaws and the motorcycles with the four stroke engines and a gradual and acceptable phase out of environment polluting vehicles also came under discussion.

Though the participants had different viewpoint on the issues, there was consensus that an emission testing system must be evolved to check vehicular emission.

"All the parties agreed to run this system collectively and make it a success, "the minister said, talking to APP on conclusion of the meeting. Giving details of the programme, he said, "initially the programme will be launched by the government with the involvement of the private entrepreneur and will later be handed over to the private sector to run it independently," he told.

The minister also hinted at looking into the NEQS afresh to check the vehicular emission and to make fully apply these standards on all vehicles including busses, trucks, cars, motorcycles, rickshaws and other vehicles.

"The government in collaboration with the stakeholders, will also look into the prospects of gradually phasing out rickshaws if they continue to adding to pollution," he added.

Tahir Iqbal said under this programme every vehicle will have undergo the emission testing and come up to the levels set levels of emission before coming to the road.

He said a Steering Committee will also be constituted to evolve a mechanism for emission testing and emission control. The Committee will evolve the mechanism and methodology that how the emission is controlled and this programme is successfully implemented, he said.

To a question about looking into current NEQS, he said, "if minor changes are needed, we will go for it to generate desired results and make the programme a success."

"We will ensure that these standards are acceptable to all vehicle owners either they own new vehicle or an old," he said. He said it will also be ensured that all the manufacturers keep in view these standards while manufacturing engines for vehicles.

Those engaged in oil business and mobile selling will also have to observe these standards and avoid selling sub-standard and contaminated mobile oil, the minister said. - APP