Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Friday called upon the government to revisit environmental laws so that stringent measures could be taken against people and organisations spreading pollution.
Pakistan is standing at an environmental crossroads as the health of people in many cities hangs in the balance due to pollution which has approaching catastrophic levels, said FPCCI Vice President Munawar Mughal.
He was speaking as chief guest at a function and a walk held by CDA to raise awareness about environment during its on-going Clean and Green Campaign.
CDA member Sanaullah Aman, DIG Police Sultan Azam Temuri, ICCI SVP Khalid Chaudhry, leaders of different associations, students of different schools and a large number of commoners were present on the occasion.
Mughal said that some of the effects of pollution include hearing problems, nose and throat infections, headaches, nausea, allergies, irritation, rage, respiratory and heart disease, lung cancer, brain and nerve damage, and impaired liver and kidney functions. Moreover, he said, environmental damage comes at a substantial economic cost in terms of health-related expenditure and reduced productivity in factories, offices, schools and homes.
Pollution has been burdening our fragile healthcare system which is failing to keep pace with a growing population and scaled down budgetary allocations, he added.
Lauding the role of CDA and students of different schools in creating environmental awareness, he said that a lot is to be done in this direction.
