The Pakistan Clean Air Initiative (PAQI) was founded in 2016 by Abid Omar, a citizen scientist. Through its community-led air quality monitoring initiative, PAQI has deployed around 80 low-cost sensors in 12 cities across Pakistan. They have actively shaped the dialogue and facilitated discussions among stakeholders, resulting in the government’s decision to import upgraded fuel (EURO IV) in 2019. They also played an instrumental role as part of the Smog Commission, advising the government on mitigation strategies and in the development of the Air Quality Index and have conducted numerous awareness workshops in schools, colleges and communities.
In absence of reliable emissions inventories, source apportionment studies, chemical speciation studies and scientific expertise, PAQI aims to:
1. Strengthen its air quality monitoring network with reference-grade monitors and additional low-cost sensors
2. Develop reliable emissions inventories and undertake source apportionment studies
3. Collaborate to strengthen our technical capabilities.
4. Partner with international universities for chemical speciation studies to gain a more thorough understanding of the composition of pollutants in the air.
Country Opportunity Score (Pakistan): 8.2