Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has advocated for "climate diplomacy" with India to address the worsening issue of smog in both Punjabs, particularly as winter approaches and pollution levels rise in both countries, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing a Diwali ceremony in Lahore on Wednesday, Maryam Nawaz said, "I am thinking of writing a letter to the chief minister of Indian Punjab. We should talk to them; this is called climate diplomacy. We should do it with India."

Maryam stressed the necessity for coordinated efforts to mitigate toxic smog, which can travel across the border due to winds. She spoke about the rise in respiratory ailments during the cooler months.

As temperatures drop, the pollutants can become trapped near the ground due to temperature inversion, leading to increase in air pollution levels. Cities like Lahore and Delhi consistently rank among the most polluted globally.

Maryam Nawaz said that Pakistani and Indian Punjabs must work together to find a solution to the smog problem. “We need to have diplomacy with India regarding the issue of smog in Lahore. I’m thinking of writing a letter to the Punjab Chief Minister [Bhagwant Mann] in India that this is not just a political issue, this is a humanitarian issue. And if we’re also taking steps towards this, then there should be a matching response from the Indian side,” she added.

Maryam said “The winds don’t know there’s a border in the middle. Until both Punjabs come together, we won’t be able to tackle the issue of smog.”

Smog, she further said, is a humanitarian issue, not a political one, and called for collaborative efforts to tackle it effectively. "If both Punjabs do not join hands, then we cannot battle smog."

Minority Cards to be launched on Dec 20

Maryam Nawaz also announced that a ‘Minority Card’ will be launched in Punjab on December 20 to aid those with less financial resources. “All minority members across Punjab, especially poverty-stricken minorities who don’t have a lot of resources, will receive Rs10,500 through the Minority Card,” she said, adding “We will start with 50,000 people, but God willing, in the upcoming year, not only will we increase the number of beneficiaries, cards and families, but also the amount of money being given.”

Maryam regretted “In the recent past there have been incidents with minorities that have made my head hang in shame, and it has caused me great pain to see trivial misunderstandings become full-blown fights.”

She said “Because there are few minorities, it is our responsibility to provide a safe Pakistan, a safe Punjab for them so that they can stay in their houses safely, without any fear of danger, and that they feel that this is their country and they have every right to be here.”

Maryam also announced a Rs15,000 Diwali gift being given to 1,400 families across Punjab. “May we all live together in peace and harmony under one flag. Once again, I wish you a happy Diwali,” she declared.

Punjab Liquidation Board dissolved

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif has dissolved Punjab Liquidation Board.

Secretary Cooperative Musarrat Jabeen forwarded the summary for dissolution of the Punjab Liquidation Board.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz after granting approval to the summary forwarded it to cabinet committee.

The employees of Liquidation Board will be posted in Board of Revenue. The sources further clarified the dissolution of Punjab Liquidation Board is part of on-going reforms agenda of the incumbent government.

Reporters: Rao Dilshad Hussain and Qaisar Khokhar