ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Climate Change on Tuesday informed a parliamentary body that around three million tons plastic waste was generated in Pakistan in 2022, and was expected to reach 12 million tonnes b 2040, if no urgent action was taken.

During the meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change held under Senator Seemee Ezdi, MoCC officials briefed that the government of Pakistan had joined Global Plastic Action Partnership to reduce plastics wastes and to work on different projects, which helped in recycling plastic waste.

The officials also said that the ministry was working with international partners to find environmental friendly solutions for recycling of plastics wastes. However, the chairperson of the committee was of the opinion that instead of banning plastic necessary efforts should be made in finding its substitutes.

The Senate committee deliberated on point of public importance raised by Senator Asad Ali Junejo regarding tailpipe emissions from cars and its effects on climate change. Senator Asad Ali Junejo stated that recent studies showed that transport and industries contributed highly to deteriorating climate effects.

He said that regulations should be made to make it mandatory for car owners to get their vehicles tested for emissions every three years to minimize air pollution. Senator Seemee Ezdi stated that a bill had already been passed on same subject matter and was lying in National Assembly for consideration.

Mussadiq A Khan, who is Additional Secretary Incharge for MoCC said that Vehicles Inspection cell, which exclusively dealt with vehicles should be made part of this project.

However, Senator Asad Ali Junejo said that besides vehicles inspection cell, officials of excise and taxation should also be invited to shed light on the subject. The committee deferred the deliberations and directed the ministry to hold discussions with excise and vehicles inspection cell and report to the committee later.

The petitioner apprised the committee that a chemical factory named Silver Lac Chemical and Allied Industries was operating in Rawalpindi residential area without obtaining NOC.

He maintained that despite requesting the local administration and environmental department Punjab, no action had been taken against the factory. Senator Seemee Ezdi stated that matter beyond jurisdiction of the committee as it fell under the domain of Punjab province. Moreover, the senate committee was briefed on carbon credits of billion trees tsunami including mangrove forest in Sindh. Officials informed the committee that production of mangrove trees increased 300 percent since 1990, and one hectare of mangrove created eight credits annually. In response to Senator Seemee Ezdi’s question about feasibility of other forests located in different provinces of the country, officials informed that provinces were conducting feasibility of other forests and would be concluded soon.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2023