Environmental protection: Pakistan, Türkiye explore avenues for cooperation

LAHORE: Pakistan and Türkiye have explored avenues for enhanced cooperation in environmental protection, climate action and sustainable development, with Turkish Consul General Mehmet Eymen ?im?ek appreciating Punjab’s environmental policies and technology-driven measures to combat smog and air pollution.

In this regard, the Turkish consul general, accompanied by his wife, Meltem ?im?ek, met Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EP&CCD) Secretary Silwat Saeed at the department’s Green Building in Lahore. The meeting focused on strengthening institutional ties, sharing technical expertise and developing opportunities for collaboration between Punjab and Turkish environmental institutions.

During a detailed briefing, Saeed outlined Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision for a cleaner, greener and climate-resilient Punjab, highlighting initiatives aimed at improving air quality, strengthening environmental governance and promoting sustainable development.

She briefed the delegation on the Punjab Climate Watch Hub, a technology-driven platform integrating environmental monitoring, air quality forecasting and data-based decision-making. The department’s locally developed forecasting model uses ground-based monitoring and artificial intelligence to provide air quality forecasts for Lahore, Faisalabad and other urban centres.

The delegation was also informed about EcoBot, an AI-based citizen guidance initiative providing air quality information and practical advice during periods of pollution.

Highlighting the Green School Certification Programme, the secretary said it had reached more than 26,000 schools in 41 districts, engaging approximately 7.6 million students and teachers. The programme promotes environmental awareness through waste management, water conservation, energy efficiency, plantation and air quality education.

Ms Saeed also explained the CM Green Credit Programme, which encourages citizens and communities to adopt environmentally responsible practices and contribute to sustainability through public participation.

A major focus of the briefing was Punjab’s anti-smog strategy, encompassing industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, brick kilns, construction dust and agricultural residue burning.

The delegation was informed about thermal drone surveillance, enforcement operations, vehicular emissions scanning systems and remote sensing devices installed at nine entry and exit points of Lahore to identify high-emitting vehicles.

The secretary also highlighted mandatory emission-control measures for industries, zigzag technology for brick kilns, anti-smog gun operations and air quality monitoring arrangements, saying the government was prioritising preventive action throughout the year.

Other initiatives discussed included the Plastic-Free Punjab campaign, urban plantation, Miyawaki forests and collaboration with universities, research institutions and the private sector.

Project Director SPIU Tariq Mehmood Bhatti highlighted the importance of technical coordination, effective project implementation and monitoring in translating environmental policies into measurable outcomes. He stressed that international technical partnerships could help strengthen institutional capacity and support the adoption of innovative environmental solutions.

The Turkish delegation appreciated Punjab’s environmental policy direction, particularly its use of modern monitoring technologies, strengthened enforcement and public awareness programmes.

Both sides discussed potential collaboration involving Turkish environmental institutions, technical experts, universities, businesses and research organisations. Areas of mutual interest included exchange of environmental best practices, climate technology, capacity-building, joint awareness campaigns, technical exchanges and stakeholder engagement.

The discussions also explored opportunities for sharing Punjab’s environmental initiatives with Turkish counterparts and learning from Türkiye’s relevant institutional and technical experience in environmental management and sustainability.

The participants expressed interest in maintaining direct institutional engagement to identify practical areas for cooperation, including knowledge-sharing, expert interactions and mutually agreed collaborative activities.

The meeting was attended by EP&CCD Director General Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh, Director General Amina Munir, Team Lead Advocacy and Communication Saima Murtaza, Asim, Dr Wajid and EPCCD Ambassador Sam Ali Dada.

The engagement was described as a constructive step towards developing stronger Punjab–Türkiye environmental ties, with both sides recognising that international cooperation, technological innovation and shared expertise were essential to addressing climate change, air pollution and other environmental challenges.

The meeting concluded with an understanding to continue dialogue and explore practical avenues for cooperation in environmental protection, climate resilience and sustainable development.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026