Pakistan has taken a significant step forward toward becoming a pollution-free country with the approval of the first 'Clean Air Policy' by the federal cabinet.

Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman in a statement said the policy aims to improve air quality in Pakistan with measurable improvements.

She said it is a policy guideline for the implementing agencies and environmental protection agencies in all the provinces and federating units.

The Minister said air pollution is a critical environmental and health issue in Pakistan, causing 235,000 premature deaths in 2019 and costing the country a staggering 47.8 billion dollars.