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Pakistan Urges Climate Diplomacy with India Amid Smog Crisis at COP29

South Asia faces an unprecedented air pollution crisis, with both India and Pakistan grappling with hazardous smog levels. While Delhi and northern India struggle with choking air quality, Pakistan's Punjab, Peshawar, Multan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions are similarly engulfed in toxic haze. In some areas, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has soared beyond a dangerous 2,000, leading to severe disruptions.

Emergency Measures in Pakistan

To mitigate the crisis, Pakistan has implemented stringent measures:

  • Lockdowns in affected regions.
  • Shutdown of polluting industries and suspension of commercial activities.
  • Reduced office operations to 50% capacity.
  • Closure of schools and universities.

A Call for Regional Cooperation

Speaking at the COP29 Summit in Baku, Pakistan's representatives highlighted the shared nature of the crisis. Abid Latif, Director of Climate Change in Punjab, stressed the need for collective action rather than blame-shifting between India and Pakistan.

"Winds from both sides carry pollutants across borders. Regional cooperation is essential, and we are urging India and neighboring countries to join discussions to combat air pollution," Latif stated.

Temporary Measures and Their Impact

Imran Hamid, Director General of the Environmental Protection Authority in Punjab, outlined Pakistan's actions:

  • Crackdowns on industrial polluters and enforcement against stubble burning through FIRs.
  • Cloud seeding to induce artificial rain, temporarily easing pollution in areas like Rawalpindi.

Appeal for Climate Diplomacy

Jahangir Anwar, Secretary of the Punjab Climate Department, echoed the need for collaboration. "Eastern winds bring pollutants to Pakistan, while western winds carry them to India. This is a shared crisis that demands a unified response," he said.

Regional Collaboration Advocated at COP29

At the Pakistan Pavilion, officials emphasized the necessity of working with India and other South Asian nations to tackle air pollution. They pointed out that environmental challenges like smog transcend political boundaries and require unified strategies.

A Shared Crisis Demands Shared Solutions

The escalating smog crisis highlights the interconnected nature of air pollution in South Asia. Pakistan's call for climate diplomacy and regional cooperation at COP29 underscores the need for collaborative, cross-border efforts to combat this shared environmental emergency.