Monitoring of air quality will be done on a regular basis in the Balochistan province after the installation of Air Quality Monitoring Stations (AQMS). Ten AQMS will be installed in the border areas at a total cost of PKR100 million for the said purpose. Technical staff to run the stations will be hired very soon through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The staff will also make sure that industrial units and other establishments are following environmental protection laws and regulations. According to an official of the climate change ministry, the timely installation of the stations will be ensured by the government to start protecting the environment and reduce air pollution. He said, “AQMS stations will be installed at Taftan, Chaman, Gwadar, Khuzdar, Hub, Loralai and other such locations.

We will take all the necessary steps to protect the environment and preserve natural resources.” He added, “the provincial government has also given the go-ahead for the establishment of the first environmental laboratory in Lasbela. It will work on environmental protection and ensuring that best practices are followed through in the industry.” He continued, “the environmental research laboratory will also help identify and contain the toxic contaminants affecting the quality of water, soil, and air in the province.

It will also provide researchers with a platform to conduct analysis on the effects of industrial waste and its impacts on the environment by using modern tools and technologies.” He concluded by saying that, “the government is also planning to establish the office of EPA at Gwadar to ensure the strict implementation of environmental laws.”

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk