Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi shed light on the government's measures to cope with the smog-related challenges at the 28th Annual Conference of the United Nations on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai.
In his keynote address, he highlighted Indian politics of pollution and declared India is responsible for causing smog in Pakistan, especially Punjab.
The United Nations should pressure India to solve this serious problem, he said, adding that Pakistani Punjab is badly affected by smog due to the large-scale burning of crops in Indian Punjab.
The Punjab chief minister stressed: “Climate change is a global problem that does not know borders. Concerted efforts are a must to solve it.”
He added: “Addressing the issue of climate change is a shared responsibility. We have to work together for a better and sustainable future. Punjab is facing numerous challenges due to climate change. ‘
He continued: “Pakistan is the 8th most affected country by climate change worldwide. The 2022 floods hit Pakistan hard, leaving a trail of destruction in the country.
"Punjab is striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”
He listed his government's feats to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, saying that the government of Punjab is following the policy of sustainable measures to deal with climate change and 6 new laws have been implemented in Punjab to deal with plastic pollution and smog.
“Steps are being taken to introduce green technology in Punjab. An environment endowment fund of 50 million dollars has been established to introduce green technology in the private sector.”
Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi represented the Punjab government delegation at COP28 and visited the Pakistan Pavilion. Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, Chairman of Planning and Development Board Iftikhar, Chief Executive Officer of Central Business District Authority and Ravi Urban Development Authority Imran Amin, Secretary of Agriculture Nadir Chatta and other officials concerned were part of the delegation.
The Punjab reps shed light on the provincial government’s initiatives to combat climate change. The Punjab delegation also participated in a panel discussion on the matter.