Smog a cross-border issue, says Maryam

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan and Indian Punjab should start similar measures to eliminate smog, which is having the same effects on both sides of the border.

Addressing a ceremony organised to launch the CM Internship Climate Resilient Leadership Programme and Pakistan's first smog hotline '1373', the chief minister said smog would be eliminated by collective efforts and everyone should know about the importance of the issue.

She ordered the allocation of one per cent funds for plantation in the development projects, increased the honorarium of the internship programme to Rs60,000 from Rs25,000 and called for planting trees along the roads during their construction and repair. She also directed the authorities to highlight theme of smog from October 15 to November 15 in the schools across the province.

"I felt pleased to see the interns coming from different districts of Punjab. I have also directed the authorities to ensure job security for the youths after their internship. The environment leaders should get a job in the same field so that they may benefit from education and training. The interns should be placed in the environment and forest departments," she said.

The CM said, "It is also the responsibility of the institutions to provide links for jobs in other departments. In the past, environment was treated as a defunct department. The environmental internship is not a job but a sacred responsibility. The interns will not only improve the environment but also make the cities environmentally safe."

"The smog does not just last from October to February, but throughout the year. We will have to remove obstacles in the improvement of environment. Smog causes breathing problems and eye damage. It becomes so dangerous that even schools and offices have to be closed. Children suffer from respiratory diseases because of smog. We will have to take broad measures for the elimination of smog. Every child should be apprised about eliminating smog as eradication of smog is a question of life and health of our children," she added.

Foreign officers

Meanwhile, in a meeting with a delegation of Pakistan Naval War College, the chief minister said, "I am very happy to see officers from China, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, the UAE, Bangladesh, Oman, Iraq, Palestine, Yemen, South Africa and other countries here."

She said, "The culture and civilisation of Lahore will surely be liked by our guests. Seeing the history and importance of Lahore, you people will feel very good. I invite you to tour Lahore."

She added, "The technological revolution in the world has completely changed the military service."

During a meeting with Commander Central Punjab Pakistan Navy Rear Admiral Azhar Mehmood, the chief minister emphasised the need for modern technology in the field of defence in the context of the rapidly-changing global situation.