ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (Wealth Pakistan) – The effective implementation of Pakistan’s National Clean Air Policy (NCAP) is projected to raise the country’s GDP by 2.77 percent annually, contributing an estimated $480 billion to the national economy over the next two decades.
According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the NCAP aims to address the country’s air quality crisis and reduce the economic and health costs of pollution through a comprehensive multi-sector strategy.
Economic and health benefits of cleaner air
The policy’s implementation is expected to yield an annual health benefit of $24.56 billion by reducing air-related diseases and premature deaths. With an annual GDP growth rate of 2 percent, NCAP interventions could lower the number of pollution-related deaths by about 129,500 each year.
Cleaner air will also boost agricultural productivity. By curbing ozone pollution and improving air quality, Pakistan could achieve additional economic gains of $2.79 billion annually in avoided crop losses. The report notes that ozone pollution poses a serious threat to national food security, especially by reducing wheat production — a key staple in the country’s diet.
Strengthening institutions and cross-border cooperation
The NCAP also seeks to improve governance, coordination, and institutional capacity across federal and provincial levels. It will establish mechanisms to monitor and enforce air quality standards nationwide, ensuring accountability and compliance.
Officials said the policy gives Pakistan a strategic advantage in tackling cross-border air pollution. Strengthened regional cooperation on air quality management will help the country align with international environmental standards and agreements.
Focus on five priority sectors
The NCAP identifies one high-impact intervention in each of five major sectors: transport, industry, agriculture, waste, and households. These sectors contribute the largest share of air pollutants in Pakistan.
Under the plan, the government will enforce Euro-5 and Euro-6 fuel standards for vehicles, introduce emissions limits for industries, curb the burning of agricultural residues, and ban open burning of municipal solid waste. In households, the policy promotes the adoption of low-emission cooking technologies to improve indoor air quality.
Full implementation of these measures could reduce particulate matter (PM2.5) levels — harmful fine dust particles — by as much as 38 percent by 2030, the documents reveal.
Policy targets aligned with WHO standards
The NCAP’s targets are aligned with the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines 2021, which emphasize pollutants with the greatest health impacts from both short- and long-term exposure. The guidelines provide a framework for tracking national progress and ensuring that air quality improvements are measurable and verifiable.
Regular progress reviews and data-driven reporting will be key components of the policy, helping policymakers adjust interventions based on performance outcomes.
Cleaner air to reshape urban development
Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change and former federal minister for climate change, told Wealth Pakistan that NCAP implementation would transform Pakistan’s urban landscape and strengthen environmental governance.
“Cleaner air will make cities healthier, attract investment, and enhance the overall quality of life,” she said. “Urban centres, in particular, will experience fewer smog-related disruptions, lower hospital admissions, and higher productivity.”
She emphasized that strict enforcement and public participation are essential to ensure success. Awareness campaigns, she added, must encourage citizens and industries to adopt sustainable practices.
Green growth and job creation
Rehman further noted that the policy will promote green technology and job creation across several sectors. “As Pakistan transitions towards cleaner transport, better waste management, and energy-efficient systems, thousands of new employment opportunities will emerge in renewable energy, manufacturing, and environmental monitoring,” she said.
Experts believe the NCAP could become a cornerstone of Pakistan’s green economic strategy, helping the country balance development goals with environmental sustainability. With the right enforcement and coordination, Pakistan can turn its air quality challenge into an opportunity for inclusive, long-term growth.