LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has expressed gratitude to the security forces for killing six terrorists in Panjgur. She paid tribute to the brave security forces for their professional excellence in successfully carrying out the operation. She said the protection of life and property of people and complete eradication of terrorism remain the government’s foremost priorities. Separately, Maryam Nawaz, in her message on the World Environment Day, reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to eliminating plastic pollution and protecting the environment. She urged citizens to plant more trees and safeguard natural resources, while expressing gratitude over the significant reduction in fog and improvement in environmental conditions witnessed during the past year.
The chief minister commended Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and her entire team for achieving notable environmental improvements in Lahore and other parts of the province. She directed authorities to ensure early completion of the region’s first Environment Observatory Project and ordered continuation of legal action against the use of substandard plastic bags.
“The Earth is a beautiful planet and it is our collective responsibility to take every possible measure for its protection and survival,” she said, adding that sustainable and effective measures against environmental pollution and smog are yielding positive results.
The chief minister stated that Punjab has become the first province in the country to develop an early-warning capability for environmental pollution. She noted that the province’s first state-of-the-art Air Quality Forecast System is monitoring air pollution indicators across Punjab, while the province’s first Environment Wall is operating round the clock to monitor environmental institutions and activities.
She said legal action is continuing against vehicles emitting excessive smoke, brick kilns, crop residue burning and other violations of environmental laws. To combat smog, 30 modern fog guns are being effectively utilised, while additional smog-control equipment is being procured for Lahore and other cities. Province-wide plantation campaigns are continuing under the Green Punjab and Plant for Pakistan vision to ensure sustainable environmental improvement.
