LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has declared that the “fight against smog is a mission,” signalling that combating the hazardous effects of climate change is now a non-negotiable priority woven into every policy decision of her government.
She articulated this vision on the global stage while inaugurating the Pakistan Pavilion at the COP-30 climate conference in Belem, Brazil, using the platform to showcase Punjab’s ambitious environmental agenda.
Outlining a comprehensive climate strategy, the Chief Minister revealed a significant financial commitment, with the anti-smog budget being boosted from Rs94 billion to Rs123 billion to fuel a province-wide shift towards eco-friendly fuels and innovative waste-to-energy projects.” This transformative plan includes a monumental push for electric mobility, aiming to roll out 1,500 electric buses, 120,000 e-bikes and rickshaws, and 1,100 electric taxis, alongside 10 major automated rapid transit systems to overhaul urban transport.
Concurrently, the “Suthra Punjab” initiative is tackling the colossal challenge of over 50,000 tons of daily waste, not only managing its collection but ambitiously converting landfill sites into green forests and solar parks, with the Lakhodair Pilot Project already generating energy from methane.
To address agricultural pollution the government is leveraging technology through partnerships with SUPARCO and NASA to monitor and reduce crop residue burning by an impressive 65pc, supported by the distribution of 5,000 climate-smart farming machines to farmers. A sophisticated, AI-driven “Smog War Room” now integrates data from 100 air quality monitoring stations, creating a real-time combat centre against pollution. Chief Minister Nawaz framed these actions as essential for a nation that, despite contributing less than 1pc to global emissions, suffers disproportionately, ranking among the world’s top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries—a vulnerability starkly highlighted by the devastating 2025 floods that submerged 27 districts and affected five million people, a catastrophe which directly inspired the creation of the “Punjab Climate Resilient 2025 Initiative” to rebuild with greater foresight.
During the conference, her efforts received international endorsement from former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who praised Punjab’s “exemplary” and rapid progress.
In a sobering separate statement, the CM expressed profound condolences for the victims of a suicide blast in Islamabad and vowing that “terrorists and enemies of humanity will be brought to an end,” while also praising the safe evacuation of students from Cadet College Wana as a testament to the nation’s resolve.