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Lahore: On Monday, the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) conducted an essential awareness session on smog mitigation, gathering key stakeholders from various sectors to strategize on combating the recurring smog issues affecting the region. The session highlighted the urgent need for collective action against the environmental challenge, with significant contributions from government officials and industry leaders.
According to Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shad chaired the session, emphasizing the critical role of industry in adhering to environmental regulations to combat the smog, especially with winter approaching, when smog levels traditionally peak from November to February. Despite the industrial sector contributing less than 20% to the smog issue, LCCI reaffirmed its commitment to proactive engagement in mitigation efforts.
Provincial Secretary for Industries, Commerce, Investment and Skills Development, Ehsan Bhutta, was the chief guest and underscored the necessity of a unified approach to address the predominant sources of smog, particularly from transport, which contributes 83% to the problem. He highlighted the government’s formation of a committee led by the Chief Minister and the development of an anti-smog policy as steps towards sustainable solutions.
Engineer Khalid Usman, LCCI Senior Vice President, pointed to the alarming air quality levels recorded last November, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching hazardous levels. He urged immediate action to mitigate emissions, reflecting the severity of the air quality that continues to pose health risks.
Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry advocated for ongoing dialogue between industries and regulatory bodies, stressing the importance of compliance with environmental regulations as both a moral and legal responsibility. Former LCCI Presidents and senior vice presidents also spoke, offering various perspectives on government-industry cooperation, the need for business-friendly policies, and the importance of assessing and addressing the root causes of smog effectively.
Innovative solutions such as financing schemes for adopting scrubber technology and other mitigation measures were discussed. The LCCI President called for interest-free loans to support industries, particularly SMEs, in adopting cleaner technologies.
The session concluded with a strong message of unity and cooperation. By fostering dialogue and collaboration between government and industry, LCCI aims to pave the way for a cleaner, healthier future for Lahore and beyond. The commitment to environmental responsibility was echoed by all participants, emphasizing the shared goal of reducing pollution and protecting public health.
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