LAHORE: Punjab and Chinese governments agreed on Monday to promote cooperation regarding the installation of air purification towers to control smog, especially in Lahore, a city that regularly tops the list of the most polluted cities in the world.

Consul General of China Zhao Shiren and Chief Minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi discussed increasing cooperation in various fields, especially controlling smog.

The chief minister noted that smog has become a global problem, and his government wants to use Chinese technology to control it in Punjab, especially in Lahore. The Chinese technology will be beneficial for installing air purification towers in Lahore and other cities.

Air-purified towers will be installed near border areas and industrial areas, he added. These towers will also be used for flood warnings and other purposes. The Punjab government has also imposed an environmental emergency to control smog.

The Chinese consul general announced a scholarship of Rs6 million for the students of Punjab this year and presented Rs30 million cheque for flood relief. The chief minister thanked the Chinese government and the consul general and said that the Punjab government is thankful for the financial support of the flood victims.

The consul general thanked Mr Elahi for the assurance of support regarding the new consulate and said that the Chinese scholarship for Punjabi students would be further enhanced starting next year. Punjab has a very favorable environment for investment, and Chinese companies want to invest in Punjab. All possible measures will continue to increase cooperation in various fields, he added.

Meanwhile, the chief minister ordered his staff to reduce protocol and security for himself and directed them not to stop traffic during his movements. Signal-to-signal traffic flow should be maintained, and the stoppage of traffic at the place should not be more than one percent, he said.

He asserted that stopping the traffic should be avoided keeping in mind the convenience of the people. Stopping the traffic disturbs people and I want to relieve the inconvenience, we have come to the convenience of the people, he maintained. The chief minister further said that foreign teams and players will be given security, according to the Blue Book and traffic police will be equipped with body cams. A security-related meeting was held under Mr Elahi which was attended by Provincial Minister Mian Mehmoodul Rashid, Principal Secretary Muhammad Khan Bhatti, GM Sikandar and others.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022