99% industries comply with environmental laws, air quality improves significantly in Faisalabad: AC City

Assistant Commissioner (AC) City Adil Umar on Friday said that 99 percent industries in Faisalabad were complying with environmental protection laws, resulting in a positive and phenomenal improvement in environmental conditions within just one year, surpassing even some developed countries

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Apr, 2026) Assistant Commissioner (AC) City Adil Umar on Friday said that 99 percent industries in Faisalabad were complying with environmental protection laws, resulting in a positive and phenomenal improvement in environmental conditions within just one year, surpassing even some developed countries.

He was addressing a ceremony held at Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) in connection with the foundation day of Pakistan’s first Environmental Protection Force.

The AC City highlighted that black carbon was not only adversely affecting the environment but also impacting daily human life particularly contributing to a rise in respiratory diseases. He identified vehicles running on diesel and petrol along with industrial emissions as major sources of environmental pollution.

He expressed satisfaction that 99 percent of factories in Faisalabad were adhering to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) laws, reflecting growing awareness and responsibility among industrial stakeholders.

Deputy Director EPA Usman Azhar paid tribute to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz and Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb for their high-level initiatives to control environmental pollution. He said that due to these efforts, there had been a noticeable improvement in environmental conditions and the Air Quality Index (AQI) within a short span of one year.

He said that the people of Faisalabad were increasingly aware of environmental issues and were actively cooperating with relevant departments to address them.

President FCCI Farooq Yousaf Sheikh congratulated CM Maryam Nawaz on the establishment of the country’s first Environmental Protection Force and said that economic development and environmental protection were not contradictory but complementary to each other.

He emphasized that the world was progressing on the principles of sustainable development and Pakistan must adopt a similar approach.

He assured full cooperation of the chamber with the Environmental Protection Force in promoting environmental sustainability.

Convener FCCI Standing Committee on Environment and Horticulture Waheed Khaliq Ramay said that improved coordination between the chamber and the administration had led to record environmental improvements. He said that large-scale plantation drives had been carried out in the past and it would continue in the future too.

Representing All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association (APTPMA) Rao Muhammad Akram said that 82 percent of environmental pollution was caused by vehicles, stressing the need to focus on this sector. He suggested that instead of shutting down industries, a system of warnings followed by fines should be implemented to ensure compliance without disrupting employment.

Later, Senior Vice President FCCI Naveed Akram Sheikh thanked the participants while President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh presented a commemorative shield to Assistant Commissioner (AC) City Adil Umar. The shields were also exchanged in recognition of services for environmental protection and a cake was cut to mark the foundation day of the Environmental Protection Force.

Vice President FCCI Engineer Asim Munir was also present on the occasion.