On December 4, 2025, a media conference was held at PC Hotel in Karachi to update the media and relevant agencies about the collaborative efforts between the Pakistan Coating Association (PCA), the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), and the Lead Elimination and Environment Protection (LEEP) initiative.

The goal is to eliminate lead from paints in Pakistan and work towards establishing the country as a 100% lead-free nation. The conference was attended by PCA members, including Mr Muhammad Yousuf (Yaksr Pvt. Ltd.), Mr Badar Haroon (Haroon Paint Industry), Mr Sami Ahmed Batla (Blue Bird Paints), Mr Muhammad Tauseef (Nelson Paints), Mr Ahsan Akbar Farooqui (Unico Paints), and Mr Abdul Basit (Basit Chemicals).

On the panel, representing PCA alongside the Director General of PSQCA and the Country Representative of LEEP, Mr. Muhammad Yousuf, CEO of Yaksr Pvt. Ltd., reaffirmed the PCA’s strong commitment to collaborating with national regulators, international partners, and the paint industry to completely eliminate lead-based paints from Pakistan.

He emphasised that PCA is dedicated to supporting the transition to a fully lead-free paint market to protect public health, particularly the well-being of children. Mr Yousuf also highlighted that there are now cost-effective and safe alternative raw materials widely available, making the shift to lead-free formulations both technically and commercially feasible for large manufacturers as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

He noted the growing consumer preference for health-conscious and environmentally friendly paint products. A joint study conducted by PSQCA and LEEP, in consultation with PCA, showed encouraging progress: the market share of lead-based paints has declined from 88% in 2021 to 41% in 2024. However, all stakeholders stressed the need for continued collaborative efforts to completely eradicate lead from paints across Pakistan.