LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on Wednesday that “political smog” is as destructive as environmental damage, warning against violent protests that disrupt public order.
Regarding cross-border environmental diplomacy, she said, “Smog affects both Pakistani and Indian Punjab alike. We must collaborate to address this issue collectively.”
She inaugurated the Climate Leadership Internship Programme and Pakistan’s first Smog Hotline (1317) in a ceremony on Wednesday.
The programme, aimed at empowering youth in environmental stewardship, is part of broader efforts to tackle the province’s growing environmental challenges, including smog.
During her address, Maryam stressed the importance of allocating at least one percent of development funds for plantations in ongoing projects, a step she described as vital for environmental preservation.
The chief minister claimed that inflation had decreased from 38 percent to 9 percent, attributing the improvement to her administration’s efforts. “Our focus is on creating opportunities in Punjab, so our youth won’t need to seek employment abroad,” she said.
Criticising political opponents, she said, “While inflation is declining, protests from KP disrupt peace. These actions only hurt the country’s image, especially as we prepare for important international events like the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.”
Maryam also announced a significant increase in the honorarium for interns in the Climate Change Leadership Programme, from Rs25,000 to Rs60,000. She directed trees be planted alongside roads during construction and repair work and introduced the “smog awareness” theme in schools from October 15 to November 15.
She stressed that addressing smog will require collective efforts rather than quick fixes and reiterated her government’s commitment to youth development and environmental protection.
Highlighting her focus on youth, she said, “I am committed to ensuring job security for children completing their internships, particularly in the environment and forest departments. This initiative will empower them to contribute to environmental sustainability.” The CM also spoke about animal rights, emphasizing that cruelty towards animals is intolerable.
“In Punjab, we have taken swift action against those involved in animal cruelty, such as the case of a donkey’s leg being cut off,” she said. She said that the provincial government is taking strong measures to monitor industrial emissions, including installing surveillance cameras on chimneys and employing drone technology for digital inspections.
Maryam Nawaz praised the efforts of Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and her team, who worked tirelessly on environmental initiatives. “We are taking comprehensive steps to improve air quality and reduce smog, from upgrading brick kiln technology to monitoring fuel quality in vehicles.”
The chief minister also chaired the inaugural meeting of the Cabinet Standing Committee on Smog Mitigation and Climate Resilience where a comprehensive plan to tackle smog was approved.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb provided details on the monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, including digital inspections of factories and vehicles. The committee discussed ongoing measures to curb industrial emissions and the use of clean energy technologies in brick kilns across Punjab.
In a separate meeting with a delegation from the Pakistan Naval War College, led by Rear Admiral Azhar Mehmood, the chief minister expressed her pride in Pakistan’s naval forces and welcomed officers from 16 friendly countries.
She also highlighted ongoing development projects in Punjab, such as the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence University in the Nawaz Sharif IT City, set to begin operations soon.
The chief minister also took notice of an incident involving the abuse of an elderly mother by her son in Arifwala. She directed authorities to provide the victim, Noor Bibi, with the best medical care and sought a report from the IGP.
Maryam also congratulated mountaineer Shahroz Kashif for scaling all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks, saying, “We are proud of your achievement, Shahroz. May you continue to bring pride to Pakistan.”
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