President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) Farooq Yousaf Sheikh said that a better air quality is imperative for healthy generations and the government, WWF and private sector must collaborate to achieve this objective.
Better air quality imperative for healthy generations: FCCI president
FAISALABAD, Jul 10 (APP): President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) Farooq Yousaf Sheikh said that a better air quality is imperative for healthy generations and the government, WWF and private sector must collaborate to achieve this objective.
Addressing a workshop on “Air quality and public health”, he introduced FCCI and said that its basic objective is to act as a bridge between the Government and private sector.
He said that now the chamber has expanded its portfolio as it was also raising voice for the improvement of basic infrastructure, civic problems, CSR, relief operation during floods and new airport etc. for the future needs of this city.
“I can say confidently that FCCI has now become the mouthpiece of ten million residents of Faisalabad district”, he said and added that FCCI not only pinpoints issues but also suggests viable solutions through efficient R&D.
He said that FCCI also presented budget proposals. “Many of which were included in the budget while we are struggling for the remaining ones”, he said and underlined the importance of urban air quality and said that the contribution of the industrial sector in pollution is quite negligible.
He said that transport is the main contributor toward pollution.
He said that FCCI recently signed an MOU to shift industry from the congested city areas.
He said that on the request of Vice President Engr. Asim Munir two smog guns have also been shifted to Faisalabad.
Cardiologist Dr. Habib Aslam Gaba delivered a lecture on the impact of pollution on human health.
He said that 1.5 to 2.5lacs people die every year in Pakistan due to the intake of polluted air.
Dr. Zaeem Bin Babar from the University of Punjab explained about the project launched by the Energy Policy Institute of Chicago and said that ten sensors have been installed in Faisalabad to monitor the air quality.
He said that Faisalabad is included among the most polluted cities and its residents inhale poor to hazardous air during 70% days of the year.
Pulmonologist Dr. Istikhar, Ali Amjad of WWF and Haroon Younus also addressed the workshop.
Later Vice President Engr. Asim offered vote of thanks while President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh presented FCCI shield to Project Director WWF Muhammad Haroon Younus.
