Federal Minister for Climate Change Dr Musadik Malik announced a planned $10 million fund to support startups focused on clean air during the Pakistan National Clean Air Conference 2026. The government will use its own limited resources to establish this financial pool.
Approval for the fund's board is expected by 29 October. Malik stated that air pollution is a man-made crisis caused by human activities and specific policy choices.
The minister highlighted that the unequal burden of air pollution affects society, with a UNICEF report indicating that it damages the growth and lung health of children. Economic data shows that air pollution imposes a burden on the country equivalent to 6.5 per cent of the gross domestic product.
Malik noted that Beijing and Shanghai transitioned from being among the world's most polluted cities to becoming major exporters of solar technology. "Some will adapt, some will install purifiers," Dr Musadik Malik said.
