ISLAMABAD, March 5: Hazardous vehicular emission level in Pakistan is higher than that in the developed countries, causing serious damage to environment, participants of a national consultative meeting were told on Friday.

The consultative meeting on reduction of vehicular emissions was organized by Enercon at the National Energy Conservation Centre here. "A vehicle in Pakistan on an average emits 25 times more carbon monoxide, 20 times more particulate matter, and five times more nitrogen oxide than a vehicle in a developed country like Japan and the United States," Enercon managing director M. Zubair said.

He said hazardous vehicular emissions level had risen to alarming proportion in the country mainly due to low maintenance of vehicles. At present, transport sector is the main cause of air pollution in the country. According to latest statistics, the total number of vehicles in the country stands at 4.5 million, Mr Zubair said.

"With the prospect of about 10 per cent increase in the number of vehicle annually, there is a dire need to draw workable strategies to contain emission levels," he said.

The minister of state for environment, Maj (Retd) Tahir Iqbal, who was presiding over the meeting, reiterated government's resolve to lay down the national environmental quality standards.

He, however, said all decisions would be taken in consultation with stake holders, particularly the auto- manufacturers. There was consensus among the participants about the need for having countrywide network on emission testing and certification centres.

Deliberations were made on various aspects of environmental quality standards, vehicular emissions in diesel engine, environmental impacts in respect of two-stroke engine, positioning of exhaust pipes, and need for motor vehicle inspection and certification centre in the country.

The meeting also asked Enercon to play an active role for ensuring coordination among various stakeholders like academia, auto-mobile sector, non-governmental organizations and private sector departments concerned.

Secretary environment Javid Zafar, EME College commandant Brig Syed Jamil Shahid, advisor to the Sindh chief minister on environment and alternative energy Faisal Iqbal and representatives of auto-manufacturers and NGOs were also present in the meeting.