Federal Minister for Climate Change Mushahid Ullah Khan has expressed his deep concern over different environmental, particularly water and air pollution, which continue to affect the health of the people. He said that environmental degradation has emerged to be a grave socio-economic issue for the country and effective policy measures are needed to address these problems.
The minister in a statement called upon the officials of different sections of Climate Change Ministry, particularly environment, forestry and Environmental Protection Agency – Islamabad (Pak-EPA) to play their due role in this regard and work hard consistently to cope with the environmental issues, particularly illegal tree-cutting, deforestation, water and air pollution.
He warned, “There is no place for inefficient, incompetent and lethargic officials and officials in the Climate Change Ministry. They have to prove themselves through hard work and efficiency to address the environmental problems being face by the country or they have to go.”
Khan said it is a matter of deep worry that pollution in the Rawal Lake continues to increase and relevant environmental agencies and departments have failed to check the contamination of the lake.
“He said that no one will be spared if found of not tacking against those, who are responsible for contamination of the Rawal Lake,” he warned. He noted that the thousands of people are being affected with different water-borne diseases by drinking the contaminated water of the lake, because the people have no choice but to consume the water infested with diseases.
“In this regard, Pak-EPA (Islamabad) must play its due part or be ready to face the music,” he said.
