ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province has made preparations to induce artificial rain to combat smog in the region, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday, citing a provincial minister.
The Punjab region, straddling India and Pakistan, faces severe air pollution during winter as farmers burn crop stubble, contributing to smog compounded by emissions from low-grade diesel. Air quality deteriorates in cooler months as temperature inversion traps pollution closer to the ground, packing hospital wards with patients with respiratory problems.
This year the Punjab environment department, army aviation, civil aviation, meteorological department and the Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR) have devised a joint strategy to tackle the issue, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Artificial rain will be carried out when needed to combat smog,” Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Marriyum Aurangzeb was quoted as saying by the broadcaster.
“One instance of artificial rain will cost between 5 to 7 million rupees (up to $25,290).”
The smog season peaks between October and February every year and the Pakistani city of Lahore and India’s capital New Delhi regularly top the list of the most polluted cities in the world.
Rising air pollution can cut life expectancy by more than five years per person in South Asia, one of the world’s most polluted regions, according to a report published last year, which flagged the growing burden of hazardous air on health.
In the past, the Punjab government has taken several steps, including a crackdown on brick kilns and closure of schools, to contain the smog crisis.
Aurangzeb said the crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles, factories and other sources of toxic emissions would continue in the province.
She urged citizens to report instances of crop residue burning, smoke from industries or vehicles emitting excess smoke to the 1373 helpline.
Pakistan’s Punjab finalizes arrangements for artificial rain to combat smog
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Pakistan’s Punjab finalizes arrangements for artificial rain to combat smog
- Rising air pollution can cut life expectancy by over five years per person in South Asia
- The Pakistani city of Lahore regularly ranks among the most polluted cities in the world
Pakistan joins 22 Muslim states, OIC to condemn Israeli FM’s visit to Somaliland
- Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar visited breakaway African region of Somaliland on January 6
- Muslim states urge Israel to withdraw Somaliland recognition, respect Somalia’s sovereignty
ISLAMABAD: A joint statement by Pakistan, 22 other Muslim states and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Thursday condemned Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar’s recent visit to Somaliland as a violation of the African nation’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Saar’s visit to Somaliland capital Hargeisa on Jan. 6 followed Israel’s move last month to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region from Somalia, as an independent country. The move drew a sharp reaction from Muslim states, including Pakistan, who said it was in contravention of the UN Charter and international norms.
Several international news outlets months earlier reported that Israel had contacted Somaliland over the potential resettlement of Palestinians forcibly removed from Gaza. Muslim countries fear Israel’s recognition of the breakaway region could be part of its plan to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza to the region.
“The said visit constitutes a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia, and undermines established international norms and the United Nations Charter,” the joint statement shared by Pakistan’s foreign office, read.
The joint statement was issued on behalf of 23 Muslim states, including Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Jordan, Kuwait, Türkiye, Oman and others.
It reaffirmed support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, pointing out that respect for international law and non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states was necessary for regional stability.
“Encouraging secessionist agendas are unacceptable and risk exacerbating tensions in an already fragile region,” the statement said.
The joint statement urged Israel to revoke its recognition of the breakaway region.
“Israel should fully respect Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity and honor its obligations in compliance with international law, and demand immediate revocation of the recognition issued by Israel,” the statement read.
Somaliland broke away from Somalia unilaterally in 1991 as a civil war raged in the country. Somaliland has its own constitution, parliament and currency, a move that has infuriated Somalia over the years as it insists the region is part of its territory.
