Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren, along with a delegation of Chinese environmentalists, recently engaged in discussions with Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The meeting aimed to explore effective measures for the eradication of smog, a problem that has been pursuing the region.
During the discussions, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi featured the difficulty of the smog issue and its impact on the health and well-being of Punjab’s residents.
The Chinese delegation, in response, shared insights from their expertise and presented a preliminary report on the root causes of smog in Lahore.
Chinese experts identified the unnecessary use of organic and inorganic fuels, coupled with high humidity in the atmosphere, as primary contributors to the smog problem.
Furthermore, they highlighted the role of dust and gas burned in households and emissions from coal plants in neighboring India as significant factors.
The experts emphasized that compounds of various elements, including carbon dioxide and nitrogen, combine to form smog, leading to respiratory infections, particularly among teenagers.
In their preliminary report, the Chinese delegation proposed comprehensive solutions to combat smog, urging an inclusive strategy to address its various causes.
Pledging commitment to finding a sustainable solution, Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi assured the delegation that the Punjab government had already implemented several measures.
These included the temporary closure of schools, a ban on crop residue burning, and efforts to control smog even amid a reduction in traffic.
Highlighting the long-term nature of the challenge, Consul General Zhao Shiren mentioned that China successfully controlled its smog problem within seven years. The discussions concluded with a commitment from both parties to work collaboratively on implementing effective strategies for the gradual resolution of the smog crisis in Punjab.
As the Punjab government continues to take proactive steps, this collaborative effort with Chinese experts signals a promising approach towards finding sustainable solutions to mitigate the impact of smog on the region’s environment and public health.
