Report Summary:

(September 3, 2007) Pakistan is the most urbanized country in South Asia, with a booming economy. Economic reforms resulted in record growth rates and high levels of investment. However, the natural resource base is stressed and is threatening to undermine growth prospects.

Executive Summary

To reduce the costs associated with environmental and natural resource damages in Pakistan, the SCEA provides recommendations targeting institutions, regulations, capacity, and accountability:

Strengthen institutional design, in particular to guide Federal oversight of environmental authorities delegated to provinces, to build partnerships between Federal, provincial and municipal authorities for clean air, and to define responsibilities for water quality protection.

Update the regulatory framework, to set health-based air quality standards, use-based water quality standards, and standards for drinking water. Vehicle emission and fuel quality standards should also be updated.

Build capacity for environmental management, especially for effective EIAs, air quality management and protection of water quality. Environment cells in key sector ministries and planning departments should be further strengthened.

Reinforce incentives and accountability, through greater public consultation and disclosure in the EIA process, by providing public information on air and water quality, and by supporting public interest advocacy for the environment.

Read full report