ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has conducted a successful artificial rain trial using local technology to reduce smog, state-run media reported on Saturday, as the province grapples with deteriorating air quality and takes measures to protect millions from pollution.
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan said the provincial government carried out “cloud seeding” in the eastern cities of Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Gujar Khan on Friday, which resulted in rainfall in Jhelum and Gujar Khan within a few hours.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that improves a cloud’s ability to produce rain or snow by introducing tiny ice nuclei into certain types of subfreezing clouds.
In December last year, a cloud seeding experiment was carried out by the United Arab Emirates to bring about artificial rain in Lahore. The UAE sent two special planes and a technical team, which waited in Lahore for several days for the right conditions before carrying out its mission.
“Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated all scientific experts and associated institutions on the success of this artificial rain experiment,” Radio Pakistan said.
It said the experiment was conducted due to the combined efforts of the Punjab government, Pakistan Army’s Scientific Research and Development experts, Army Aviation, PARCO and the Environmental Protection Agency.
“This success will open new avenues for technological advancement in Pakistan and help alleviate weather-related issues for the public,” it said.
The development takes place as Punjab extended school closures in smog-hit major cities from Nov. 17 by a week, with thousands hospitalized as the country battles record air pollution.
Toxic smog has enveloped Punjab’s cities, especially its cultural capital of Lahore, since last month. Smog occurs when cold air traps dust, low-grade diesel fumes and smoke from illegal stubble burning on fields.
As the air quality deteriorates, the provincial government has taken certain measures such as closing schools, banning the entry of heavy transport vehicles in Lahore on specific days and banning entry to parks, zoos, playgrounds and other public spaces.
Other parts of South Asia are also dealing with high levels of pollution and Punjab blames neighboring India for contributing to its hazardous air quality.
New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, has banned non-essential construction, moved children to virtual classrooms and asked residents to avoid using coal and wood from Friday.
Pakistan’s Punjab conducts successful artificial rain trial amid smog crisis
https://arab.news/r6snt
Pakistan’s Punjab conducts successful artificial rain trial amid smog crisis
- Punjab carries out cloud seeding in Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang and Gujar Khan
- Toxic smog due to air pollution has enveloped Punjab province since last month
Pakistan, ADB reaffirm partnership to push IMF-backed reforms
- ADB signals further budget support aligned with Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF program
- Finance minister outlines focus on privatization, energy reforms, project execution
KARACHI: Pakistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday reaffirmed their strategic partnership to accelerate IMF-backed economic reforms, as Islamabad seeks to sustain macroeconomic stabilization and deepen private-sector-led growth.
The commitment came during a meeting between Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and a senior ADB delegation in Islamabad, where both sides reviewed Pakistan’s reform trajectory under the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and discussed ways to improve development impact and project execution.
Pakistan has been pursuing wide-ranging fiscal, energy and structural reforms under the $7 billion IMF loan program after years of balance-of-payments stress and repeated stabilization cycles. While recent reviews have pointed to improved macroeconomic indicators, the government has stressed that sustained growth will depend on translating policy commitments into implementation, particularly in taxation, state-owned enterprises and the energy sector.
“ADB representatives expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s reform progress under the IMF program and confirmed ADB’s readiness to provide further budget support aligned with the EFF,” the finance ministry said in a statement.
“They outlined future areas of engagement, including insurance sector reforms, public-private partnerships, pension reforms, and continued support for climate resilience and social sector development.”
Aurangzeb told the delegation that the government was focused on improving project readiness and execution, noting that delays had historically weakened the impact of development spending, especially in social sectors and climate-related initiatives. He said visible progress on privatization and energy sector restructuring was essential to building investor confidence and sustaining reform momentum.
The finance minister highlighted recent steps, including the privatization of a small bank, renewed interest in strategic transactions and ongoing work to restructure electricity distribution companies. He also pointed to encouraging trends in exports, remittances and services, particularly information technology, while cautioning that growth needed to remain balanced and sustainable.
According to the statement, ADB officials reiterated the bank’s emphasis on results-based engagement and faster project implementation, saying streamlined processes were critical for timely disbursements and measurable outcomes. The delegation also flagged expanded support for private-sector development through guarantees, public-private partnerships and potential infrastructure transactions.
