- Punjab's Chief Minister of Pakistan Urges Diplomatic Efforts With India to Combat Smog
The chief minister of Pakistan's largest province urged for "climate diplomacy" with neighboring India, its long-standing rival, to tackle smog ahead of the winter season, which brings dangerous pollution levels to both countries.
"We need to engage in climate diplomacy with India," said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts to mitigate the toxic smog that winds carry across the border.
Although relations between India and Pakistan have occasionally improved, they have mostly remained stagnant since both countries downgraded diplomatic ties in 2019.
As cooler temperatures set in, pollution worsens, with cities like Lahore in Pakistan and Delhi in India ranking among the world's most polluted.
During the colder months, temperature inversions trap pollution close to the ground, leading to a rise in respiratory issues and overcrowding in hospitals.
According to a report from last year, rising pollution levels could reduce life expectancy by more than five years in South Asia, one of the most polluted regions globally.
India's foreign minister is set to visit Pakistan next week for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, marking the first such visit in nearly ten years. However, India's government has clarified that there will be no discussions on bilateral relations during the trip.