Shahbaz Sharif writes to India in wake of smog issue

LAHORE: The smog, that has taken over Pakistan’s Lahore and India’s New Delhi, has heightened health concerns in the two countries.

Levels of harmful particulates called PM 2.5 that are small enough to enter respiratory system and join the blood stream, have crossed the safe limit 30 times more than the allowed limit.

In the prevailing condition where official data for air control is absent, Governor of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif recently wrote a letter to Chief Minister of Indian Punjab Capt. (R) Amarinder Singh inviting him to “enter a regional cooperation arrangement to tackle the issue of smog as well as environmental pollution”.

In the letter, he talked about the persistent and growing problem of smog and its adverse effects on public health, agriculture and traffic accidents.

Reply from the other side of border is awaited as increase in number of deaths continue in both the Punjabs.