Punjab govt blames India for smog crisis in Lahore, other cities

LAHORE: Punjab Caretaker Minister for Primary and Secondary Health Dr Jamal Nasir has said that the ongoing smog affecting Lahore and other cities was caused by the burning of crop residues in Indian Punjab.

NASA unveiled satellite images on October 28 and 29 indicating a substantial surge in crop residue burning. The Punjab government has used this evidence to assert that India is neglecting measures to curb the burning of crop residues.

Read more: LHC takes swift action to combat smog, pollution

According to Nasir, the Punjab government has requested the Prime Minister of Pakistan to take up the issue of the burning of crop residues with the Indian government.

To address the persisting issue of smog, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday directed authorities to implement a smog emergency in the provincial capital.