ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved a $300 million concessional loan to support efforts by Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province to improve air quality and battle smog, state-run media reported this week. 

Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, often ranks as the most polluted megacity in the world during the winter season between November and February. Experts say the pollution is primarily caused by factory and traffic emissions. It worsens in winter as farmers burn crop stubble and cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds trap the deadly pollutants.

Lahore’s 14 million residents spent six months breathing concentrations of PM2.5 — tiny particles that can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream — at levels 20 times or more than recommended by the World Health Organization last year, as per data analyzed by AFP.

“The World Bank has approved a concessional loan worth 300 million dollars under the International Development Association (IDA) to support the Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP),” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday. 

It said the initiative aims to strengthen air quality management and combat pollution across the province, adding that the PCAP will assist Punjab in implementing its Smog Mitigation Action Plan (SMAP). 

The SMAP will seek to introduce several measures to improve air quality, particularly in the transport, agriculture, industry, energy, and municipal services sectors, the state-run media said. 

As per the report, World Bank Country Director Pakistan Najy Benhassine described the program as a “landmark initiative” for improving air quality and public health. 

“He said the cleaner air will reduce respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, leading to a healthier and more livable environment,” Radio Pakistan said. 

The report added that the program will enhance air quality management infrastructure, strengthen regulatory institutions and promote public awareness about pollution control.

“Key interventions under the program include the introduction of 5,000 super seeders to curb crop residue burning, which is one of the main causes of seasonal smog, along with the deployment of 600 electric buses to encourage public transport use,” Radio Pakistan said. 

The loan will also be used to increase regulatory-grade air quality monitoring stations across Punjab, with two new fuel testing laboratories to be established to improve fuel quality standards.

The program will promote behavioral change through educational campaigns and citizen engagement, with schools and hospitals, along with other vulnerable groups, to receive targeted adviseries on air pollution health impacts and prevention measures.

This year the smog in Punjab was so thick it could be seen from space and prompted authorities to close schools serving millions of students across the province, including Lahore.

Air pollution can cause sore throats, stinging eyes and respiratory illnesses, while prolonged exposure can trigger strokes, heart disease and lung cancer

With inputs from AFP