Pakistan has announced a $10 million Clean Air Fund to support startups building solutions to the country’s air pollution problem. Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik unveiled the fund at the Pakistan National Clean Air Conference 2026 in Islamabad on October 28, 2026.
What happened?
The fund will draw on domestic resources, and its board was expected to approve the plan the following day. The minister described clean air as a fundamental right of every citizen and framed the fund as a long-term policy priority rather than a one-off initiative.
Key details
- The fund is worth $10 million and is aimed at startups developing clean-air solutions.
- It will be financed from domestic resources first, with additional international financing to be sought later to scale it up.
- The minister put the economic cost of air pollution at 6.5% of GDP.
- Development partners already supporting climate work in Pakistan include the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, UNICEF and GIZ.
- Startups could work in areas such as sensor networks, clean cooking fuel, electric transport and brick kiln conversions.
- Eligibility rules, application timelines and focus areas have not yet been released.
What it means for people in Pakistan
For people living in cities hit hardest by smog each winter, the fund is a step toward home-grown solutions — from air-quality sensors to cleaner cooking and transport. Entrepreneurs in clean technology should watch for the formal guidelines, which will set out who can apply and when funding opens.
Source: https://www.techjuice.pk/pakistan-clean-air-fund-startups-musadik-malik/
