Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized on Wednesday that tackling smog is a long-term process, detailing initiatives the provincial government has taken since March to address this environmental crisis. Following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s tenure beginning in February, the Punjab government introduced a comprehensive “smog prevention roadmap,” directing various sectors to mitigate the growing air pollution problem.
In an interview on Geo News’ Geo Pakistan, Minister Marriyum addressed Lahore’s struggle with severe smog, which has consistently placed it among the world’s most polluted cities. Earlier, Lahore topped this list, though it now ranks second behind Delhi, where pollution levels are hazardous. Highlighting the urgency, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan summoned a special session, stressing that all members must participate in addressing this escalating public health risk.
Minister Marriyum, who oversees environment protection and climate change, cited her own direct involvement in enforcing anti-smog measures. “I am not sitting in the office giving orders. I went to the field myself and shut down brick kilns,” she stated, targeting brick kiln emissions as a significant contributor to Punjab’s air pollution.
Key initiatives under the current administration include:
- Transition to Electric Transport: Plans to introduce 200-250 electric buses in Lahore are underway to reduce vehicular emissions, a critical component of CM Maryam’s vision.
- Emission Monitoring: Cameras are being installed to identify high-emission vehicles. After three warnings, non-compliant vehicles will be stopped, Minister Marriyum shared.
- Public Role and Compliance: Minister Marriyum stressed the importance of public participation in smog prevention, stating that adherence to SOPs is essential and no lapses will be tolerated.
The provincial administration has mandated mask-wearing in public and issued an emergency traffic plan in Lahore to reduce smog levels.
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