In a pivotal development, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar haspledged to raise the pressing smog issue, triggered by crop residueburning, with India through diplomatic channels.
This announcement came following a meeting of the Punjab cabinet, presidedover by PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar.
Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Raza Naqvi informed the gathering that theprimary cause of the smog engulfing Lahore is the burning of crop residuesin Indian Punjab, as reported by the state news agency.
The cabinet meeting also involved comprehensive briefings on the proactivemeasures undertaken by the interim Punjab government across varioussectors, including health, transportation, education, and more. Notably,innovative projects like biogas generation are currently in progress withinthe province to bolster the energy sector.
Lahore, in particular, is grappling with a severe air pollution crisis, asthe city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recently reached an alarming483, positioning it as the most polluted city globally.
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The persistent smog, which has shrouded Lahore for several days, escalatedon Sunday, leading to a surge in complaints related to breathingdifficulties, eye irritation, and reduced visibility on the roads.
The local Met Office has issued a weather warning, attributing the smog toa combination of toxic elements, including nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide,sulphur dioxide, and various aerosols, arising from a cold-high-pressuresystem in the upper atmosphere. This situation underscores the urgency ofaddressing the smog issue through diplomatic channels to mitigate itsfar-reaching health and environmental impacts.