Maryam Nawaz to Reach Out to Indian Punjab CM for Joint Smog Battle

In a move to combat the escalating air pollution plaguing Punjab, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is set to reach out to her Indian counterpart, proposing a collaborative effort against smog. Addressing the media in Lahore, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari highlighted the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore, attributing a significant portion of the pollution to cross-border effects from India. Bokhari stated that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will soon draft a letter to the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab, emphasizing that environmental challenges like smog transcend borders and demand joint solutions.

The decision follows a NASA report linking smog levels in Lahore to agricultural and industrial pollutants from across the border. At a Diwali event, Maryam Nawaz reiterated her call for “climate diplomacy” with India, labeling the pollution crisis a “humanitarian issue” that should be addressed by both Punjabs. “If we’re making efforts, there should be a matching response from India,” she remarked, advocating for the health and environmental benefits that cooperation could bring to people on both sides of the border.

Bokhari also dismissed the option of artificial rain in Punjab due to the lack of necessary weather conditions, stating, “We can’t waste resources without suitable clouds.” Maryam Nawaz’s proposal marks her second appeal for cross-border action this month, underscoring her commitment to seeking effective, diplomatic measures to tackle the region’s shared environmental challenges.