PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has unveiled an ambitious environmental protection initiative under its Annual Development Programme (ADP), allocating Rs1.72 billion for planning and development projects aimed at strengthening pollution control, environmental monitoring, and institutional capacity.
A key feature of the initiative is the establishment of a modern Environmental Protection Laboratory in Peshawar, alongside three regional EPA laboratories in Abbottabad, Mingora, and Dera Ismail Khan. The government has earmarked Rs378 million for the development and upgrading of these laboratories to enhance scientific monitoring and environmental compliance.
The programme also introduces an online pollution monitoring system to track industrial emissions and wastewater discharges in real time. Under the new mechanism, factories will be monitored digitally to ensure compliance with environmental regulations, enabling authorities to detect violations promptly and take timely enforcement action.
In addition, the government plans to install smart carbon emission monitoring chips in environmentally sensitive areas. These devices will continuously measure carbon emissions and provide real-time data to help environmental authorities assess air quality, identify pollution hotspots, and formulate evidence-based mitigation strategies.
Officials said the initiative is designed to modernize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), strengthen environmental governance, and improve oversight of industrial pollution across the province. The adoption of advanced monitoring technologies is expected to enhance transparency, support regulatory enforcement, and contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Also Read: Kohistan Watershed Division Launches Monsoon Plantation Campaign in Besham
