For over two decades, we have heard about the deteriorating air quality in Lahore and Karachi and, more recently, in Islamabad. One of the biggest contributors to this problem are vehicle exhaust fumes. One of the simplest ways to deal with them is to upgrade Pakistan’s oil refineries. Refinery operators have already proposed a $6 billion upgrade plan. Today, most refineries produce Euro-2 fuels. Upgrading to Euro-5 would significantly cut vehicular emissions.
It would also allow refineries to produce more petrol and diesel instead of furnace oil, reducing imports and potentially saving the country up to $1 billion annually. Yet, for the past six years, a relatively minor taxation and policy issue has held back the entire process. At some point, we need to ask ourselves: How long will we keep paying for the cost of inaction in health, productivity, and national finances?
Syed Hussein El-Edroos
Islamabad
