PDMA chalks out plan to mitigate smog

Minister promises incentives to industries for using environment-friendly technologies

LAHORE:

Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bakht has said the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) would be the main coordinating body for managing Punjab’s plan for mitigating and preventing smog in winter.

The decisions were taken by Punjab Finance Minister Hashim Jawan Bkaht while chairing a meeting of the committee constituted by Chief Minister Punjab on smog control. Besides conducting research, policymaking, SOPs and creating awareness about the socio-economic impact of smog as well.

The minister said the government would offer incentives to the industries for shifting on environment-friendly technologies while massive public awareness campaign would be run by the government to create awareness among the public about the smog and steps taken by the government to avert it.

Furthermore, the departments will ensure the strict implementation of the SOPs in their respective areas. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister Assistant on Climate Change Malik Ameen Aslam, Punjab Minister for Industries and Trade Mian Aslam Iqbal, environment Minister Muhammad Rizwan, Head of Chief Minister Special Monitoring Unit Fazeel Asif, secretaries of environment, industry, transport departments, DG PDMA Khuram Shahzad and Additional

Inspector General of Police (operations) and other official concern. The minister observed that the smog resulted in due to climate change in months of November and December has become a disaster and should be countered accordingly.

He said in the wake of Covid-19 when the world is fighting against the pandemic, it is high time to control smog on an emergency basis. The new task of controlling the by the PDMA is assigned following the performance of it to control the locust attack and Covid-19 management, he observed.

The PDMA will also procure required equipment for smog control, medicines and other related items. Further, the authority will also conduct training for shifting of the brick kiln on zigzag technology, installation of scrubbers under green Punjab program. The PDMA will ensure the implementation of comprehensive planning to control the smog.

The minister instructed the secretary transport and AIG to ensure that of smoke emitting vehicles should not ply on the roads besides, creating awareness among the public about it to avoid any backlash from the public on the closing of vehicles.