CT Newsroom
Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister (CM), Punjab has been showing concerns regarding the emerging smog situation in Punjab, particularly in Lahore, from time to time. Today again, the CM, while hosting Diwali celebrations in Lahore, talked about the necessity of diplomatic engagement with Punjab in India.
As per details, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz hosted the Diwali Celebration at Shahrah-e-Quaid-e-Azam in Lahore, and over 1,500 Hindu families attended the celebrations. Maryam Nawaz also gifted a cheque of Rs 15,150 each to support their Diwali Celebrations.
Since the beginning of this year, Maryam Nawaz has spoken often about the issue of smog in Punjab particularly in Lahore. While speaking in the Diwali celebration, the CM called for the ‘climate diplomacy’ with India on the issue of smog. She termed climate issue as a humanitarian issue rather than a political one.
People are continuously complaining about burning eyes, irritation in the throat, cough, and other health-related issues due to poor air quality conditions. The people of both Pakistani and Indian Punjab equally suffer and struggle to breathe due to smog, CM added.
Maryam Nawaz told India that a collective effort in fighting against the smog was the need of the hour. She also informed media that she was thinking of writing a letter to the CM of Indian Punjab to play his due role in tackling the said issue through mutual collaboration in combating climate issues, particularly smog. The diplomatic channel is the only the solution to this problem, she further said.
It is worth mentioning that today, the Punjab government imposed a green lockdown in different areas of Punjab, including Davis Road, Queen Marry Road, Empress Road, and Abbott Road. According to the green lockdown, construction in the mentioned areas has been banned, the entry of Ching Chi rickshaws in the said areas has been banned, using generators has been banned, restaurants and marriage halls will be closed after 10 pm, and open barbecues will be closed after 8 PM. Also from November 4, 2024, all the government and private offices in these areas will follow 50 percent rotational work-from-home policy.