In Pakistan, pollution is one of the major threats faced by the nation. People of the country litter the roadside and empty plots. In Karachi, chemicals released from industries, as well as garbage including polythene bags are thrown into sea. So our water and soil are thoroughly contaminated. Air pollution due to the stratospheric ozone depletion has also been recognised as a significant threat to human health. And our air is polluted too. The major sources identified in air pollution, apart from mills and factories, are the automobiles. Then, there is the noise pollution being created by homes and industry also but, principally, by the transport sector. Pakistan has more than 3 million vehicles, ranging from two-wheelers to six-wheelers, plying the roads. The noise produced by vehicular traffic directly affects the hearing capabilities of the people. And deaths in accidents are a constant threat of urban living that is dependent, indeed revolves round, the four-wheeled accessory called a car. Due to the rapid increase of pollution in country, a large number of our people are suffering from hearing loss and respiratory diseases. Despite the situation, no awareness programs have been launched to apprise the general population of a threat posed by these diseases. The control measures can be in the form of innovative engineering, personal protection and administrative approaches. For more than four years, the government has been stressing on the induction of CNG buses but not much has been done on this front. These buses could be the best solution for our growing transport demand and severe traffic delays. The concerned authorities must improve the air quality by employing alternative energy resources that are not as polluting as the gasoline-powered engines. More recyclable material should be introduced and projects should be initiated for better planned urbanization. -AFREEN FATIMA JAFFERY, Karachi, April 14.