LAHORE - Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam has said that a 14-point action plan has been formulated for controlling smog.

Addressing a press conference at Directorate General Public Relations on Monday, he that 11 monitoring stations have been established in Lahore including the one near Indian border to check trans-boundary pollution. Spokesman of Chief Minister Punjab Dr Shahbaz Gill was accompanying the advisor to PM.

Malik Amin Aslam said that the government has taken up the issue of trans-boundary pollution due to burning of crop leftover with India. He said that smog control committees have been established at tehsil. He said that projects of tree plantation, solid waste management, liquid waste management, sanitation and potable water have been have been executed for overcoming the menace of pollution. He said that causes of smog included emissions from brick kilns, vehicles, industries and burning of crop leftovers.

“We cannot overcome the problem without controlling these factors”, he said. He held previous regime responsible for excessive pollution in Lahore.

“Lahore lost 70 per cent of its greenery and trees during last ten years in the name of mega development projects. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision will guide the Punjab government to convert Lahore into a green city again. Prime Minister’s Green Clean Pakistan Program would also be very helpful to eradicate smog and air pollution”, said Malik Amin Aslam. He said that the issue of excessive sulpher contents in fuel has been referred to Ministry of Petroleum.

Dr Shahbaz Gill said Brick Kilns Association has agreed to keep units closed from October 20-30. He said that Rs250 million fund would be set up to adopt zigzag technology that would help reducing emissions from brick kilns by 60 percent. He said that ban has been imposed on burning of leftovers of crops in Lahore and surrounding areas.

He said that smog desks have been set up at all government hospitals for providing immediate treatment to asthma patients. He said that the government would provide maximum masks during the smog days. He said that decision of school closure would be taken in case of dense smog. He said that preventive measures against smog would continue from October 20 to December 31.