The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), a hub of academic excellence in Sector H-10, faces a dangerous threat: its proximity to the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) road material factory near the Srinagar Highway. The facility, by manufacturing road bricks and construction materials, endangers the environment and health of students, teachers and local residents.
Factories of this nature emit significant greenhouse gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – worsening air pollution and accelerating climate change. For an educational hub like IIUI, respiratory problems, allergies and chronic diseases among students and staff are unacceptable. Apart from air pollution, constant industrial noise degrades the academic environment that is crucial for learning and innovation.
The CDA, which is tasked with planning and sustainable development of Islamabad, appears to be violating its mandate. Allowing heavy industrial operations near educational institutions is counter to its stated objectives and raises serious concerns about accountability and environmental responsibility. Such negligence erodes public trust and undermines efforts related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
IIUI students, who come from diverse backgrounds and are committed to global goals such as climate action, deserve a safe and nurturing environment. Pollution, noise and psychological stress affect their academic and personal development, while seeing local authorities neglecting sustainable practices erodes their trust in institutional leadership.
It is imperative for the CDA to relocate the factory to a suitable industrial zone or, at the very least, implement strict emission controls and adopt clean technology. Government agencies, civil society organizations and concerned citizens must come together to demand urgent action.
The presence of a polluting factory near IIUI highlights a major failure in urban planning. As students, teachers, and sustainability advocates, we must unite, demand accountability, and promote development that respects both human well-being and environmental health. Only through collective action can we ensure a sustainable and dignified future for all.
Writer: Muhammad Akram
Student of Political Science
Institution: International Islamic University Islamabad
