Lahore Air Pollution: ‘Air Knows No Borders’, Says CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif; Seeks India’s Help by Writing to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann To Tackle Smog Issue (Watch Video)

Lahore, October 30: Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated on Wednesday that she plans to write a letter to Bhagwant Mann, the CM of Indian Punjab, seeking cooperation to tackle the issue of smog, which has engulfed the whole region, especially Lahore which has become the most polluted city in the world with AQI even going past 900 earlier this week.

“The air knows no borders. The issue of smog is hurting both sides of Punjab. I intend to write to Indian Punjab’s CM and emphasise that this is not a political matter. Smog is affecting both sides severely and we need to work together to handle this matter,” Maryam Nawaz said during a Diwali celebration ceremony in Lahore. “We need to work together on humanitarian grounds. Our people are getting affected,” she added. Lahore Remains World’s Most Polluted City As Air Quality Index of Pakistan’s Urban Area Reaches 708, Govt Issues Guidelines for Citizens.

 Pakistan’s CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif to Seek India’s Help Over Smog Issue

Maryam Nawaz Sharif called for cooperation with India to effectively tackle the issue of smog pic.twitter.com/wp9DUBIYeg

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) October 30, 2024

Lahore continues to remain the world’s most polluted city with the Air Quality Index (AQI) peaking to 708 on Monday night, prompting medical experts and the provincial government to issue guidelines for the citizens, asking them to stay indoors or not move out without wearing masks. Local media reported that the AQI touched 708 at 11 pm Monday with PM 2.5 concentration being 431µg/m³, 86.2 times more than the WHO annual air quality guideline value. The provincial government has issued an emergency alert for Lahore citizens, appealing to citizens to wear masks and also keep windows and doors of their homes closed. Pakistan’s Lahore Becomes World’s Most Polluted City As Air Quality Index Approaches 700; Health Warnings Issued.

The school timings have also been changed with the government requesting parents and management of educational institutions to follow all safety measures for the safety and convenience of children. The authorities have passed an order that any vehicle found to be emitting smoke will be clamped immediately and all brick kilns operating without zigzag technology will be demolished. The smog has not only affected Lahore but also nearby cities of Kasur, Sheikhupura, Muridke and Gujranwala with the local administration arresting several farmers for burning paddy stubble.

However, Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior provincial minister in the government led by Maryam Nawaz, tried to pin blame on India for the current situation, stating that smog from Delhi, Amritsar and Chandigarh is entering Lahore as a result of strong winds. Meanwhile, the AQI in Amritsar, just a little over 50 kms from Lahore, remains well below the 200-mark this week.

(The above story first appeared on Pune Media on Oct 30, 2024 03:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website Pune Media.com).

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