Depletion of Ozone Layer is a serious threat conforting the blobal community

“PAKISTAN WOULD ACHIEVE THE TARGET OF 100% PHASING OUT OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES BY 2010”
Government of Pakistan is fully committed and making all out efforts for preservation of the Ozone Layer as it is a serious problem confronting the global community today alongwith the other environmental problems such is droughts, desertification, loss of forest and biodiversity, degradation of ecosystems, inadequate disposal of solid and liquid waste and various kinds of pollution. These problems have emerged as a result of years of rapid industrialization without safeguarding the environment. Pakistan has phased out the consumption of 91% of ozone depleting substances which is over and above the 85% induction targets fixed under the Montreal Protocol. We are successfully heading towards 100% phase out target of these ozone depleting substances till 1st January, 2010.

These views were expressed by the Acting Secretary Ministry of Environment Imtiaz Inayat Elahi while inaugurating a one day International Awareness and Information Workshop on Transition Strategy for phasing out Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC)-Metered Dose Inhalers (MDIs) in Pakistan. The workshop was organized by the Ozone Cell Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other National Stakeholders. The objective of the workshop is to increase awareness among the national stakeholders regarding Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), treatment methods for such respiratory ailments and develop collaborative mechanism between medical practitioners, health regulatory authorities and other stakeholders for implementation of measures for phasing out of CFC MDIs. Approximately 12% population of Pakistan is suffering from asthma and COPD. Based on the current population, this would mean that there is an estimated 19.8 million people suffering from asthma and COPD in Pakistan. At present two types of MDIs are available in the market to cater for the need of Asthma patients – CFC-based MDIs and non CFC-based (ozone friendly) MDIs. Almost all the asthma patients are using CFC-based MDIs which are easily affordable to the patients being cost effective and economical. However, there is need to promote the ozone friendly inhalers and raise awareness regarding affects of the CFC-based inhalers.
The Secretary Environment said that government of Pakistan is committed towards global efforts for conservation and improvement of environment and has taken various steps in line with the international obligations under international conventions, protocol and multilateral environmental agreements including the Montreal Protocol on the substances that deplete the ozone layer. He said that government of Pakistan with the financial and technical supports of Multilateral Funds Secretariat (MLFS) of the Montreal Protocol has already converted its industry particularly in the foam, refrigeration, metal cleaning and fire fighting sectors from ozone depleting substances-based technology to ozone friendly technology. Pakistan has imposed ban on import of CFC based compressors and is in full compliance with the regard to import and consumption limits of ozone depleting substances.
Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said that CFC-MDIs issue is a matter of concern for Pakistan like other developing countries of the region. The prices of imported CFC free MDIs are three time higher than the locally manufactured CFC-MDIs. Almost all the poor patients used locally manufactured MDIs which easily affordable to them. He called upon the experts from UNEP, UNDP and local pharma companies to facilitate the process of conversion to CFC free technology so that the asthma patients may avail affordable medication. He also urged the stakeholders and partner organizations to contribute their efforts for phasing out ozone depleting substances for the sake of the present and future generation.
The workshop was addressed by Ms. Kristine Whorlow, Chief Executive Officer, National Asthma Council, Australia, Mr. Shaofeng Hu, Programme Officer, United Nations Environment Programme, Bangkok, Mr. Anil Sookdeo, Programme Specialist, United Nations Development Programme, Bangkok and other stakeholders.
Earlier Joint Secretary International Cooperation Ministry of Environment Abid Ali in his welcome address apprised the participants about the objectives of the workshop.