Musadik announces $10m fund for clean-air startups
Islamabad, Oct 28: Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik on Wednesday announced plans to establish a $10 million fund for clean-air startups.
Addressing the Pakistan National Clean Air Conference 2026, he said the government had decided to finance the proposed fund from its own resources after initially seeking support from development partners.
Describing the initiative as an obligation to future generations rather than a grant or loan, the minister said the government would pursue its clean-air agenda with or without external assistance.
He said air pollution was a human-induced crisis driven by policy choices and economic activities, with its health and economic consequences falling most heavily on people with limited means to protect themselves.
The minister put the economic cost of air pollution at 6.5 per cent of Pakistan’s gross domestic product (GDP), stressing that tackling the problem required practical engineering solutions, effective policies and financial commitments rather than slogans.
Highlighting the health impacts, Dr Malik referred to patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who depended on oxygen and medication. He also cited a UNICEF report on the harmful effects of air pollution on children’s lung health and growth.
He said the burden of polluted air varied according to socioeconomic circumstances, with schoolchildren exposed while travelling to school and street vendors and other outdoor workers facing prolonged exposure during their daily routines.
The minister also pointed out that farmers and communities whose agricultural practices contributed to pollution were themselves affected by its consequences. He underscored the need for measures that addressed both the sources of emissions and their impact on vulnerable populations.
Describing clean air as a policy challenge rather than an unavoidable natural disaster, he said industrial activity and other human actions had contributed to the crisis. Referring to China’s experience, Dr Malik said Pakistan could learn from its efforts to address air pollution while developing clean technologies.
He noted that Chinese cities such as Beijing and Shanghai had faced severe air pollution, while the country had also emerged as a major exporter of solar technology. He said Pakistan could make similar progress through effective policy implementation, technological innovation and cooperation with development partners.
The minister acknowledged the support of the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF and German development agency GIZ for climate-related initiatives.
He stressed the need to translate commitments into concrete action to protect vulnerable communities, which are disproportionately affected by air pollution.
