Provincial Information and Broadcasting Minister Uzma Bukhari has said that Punjab government has no intention to buy PIA, Air Punjab matter was discussed.
Uzma Bukhari has said that it is a strange thing that KP, which owes billions of rupees, has to buy PIA. .
Apart from this, Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari says that the Punjab government is taking steps to control smog, Lahore is the second most polluted city and Delhi is the first.
While giving a press conference in Lahore, Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari said that the Punjab government is taking steps to control smog, AQI increased due to polluted air coming from India to Pakistan, when the air direction is towards Pakistan smog. Spreads, atmospheres cannot be controlled better.
Uzma Bukhari said that Lahore is the second most polluted city and Delhi is the first, the air quality index is 280 in Lahore today, control rooms have been set up, the situation is being monitored, holidays have been given to primary schools in Lahore under green lockdown. have gone
The Information Minister of Punjab further said that a newspaper wrote that the situation of other provinces is better, they are going to give a surplus budget of 630 billion for Punjab in June 2025.
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**Interview with Provincial Information and Broadcasting Minister Uzma Bukhari**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Minister Bukhari. With the Punjab government’s recent allocation of nearly Rs6.0 billion for the Smog Action Plan, can you elaborate on the key steps being taken to combat smog in Lahore, which is currently facing severe pollution levels?
**Uzma Bukhari:** Absolutely. We have established control rooms to monitor the air quality index (AQI), which today stands at a concerning 280. To mitigate the pollution, we’ve implemented a temporary green lockdown, resulting in school holidays for primary students in Lahore. Moreover, we are actively addressing the issue of polluted air that comes from neighboring regions, which exacerbates the smog situation.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned air pollution from India as a contributing factor. How does this transboundary pollution affect your plans for smog control, and what measures can be initiated at a regional level?
**Uzma Bukhari:** The direction of the wind plays a significant role. When the air is coming from the Indian side, it indeed complicates our control efforts. We are advocating for diplomatic discussions to address pollution on a broader scale, as it affects both our countries.
**Interviewer:** Moving to a different topic, there are reports regarding the intention of provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to invest in potentially purchasing PIA. How do you perceive this decision in the context of fiscal responsibility, especially when KP itself has substantial debts?
**Uzma Bukhari:** It truly is a strange proposition. Given that KP owes billions, the notion of incurring further liabilities through the acquisition of a struggling airline is puzzling. It raises questions about prioritizing financial stability over potentially problematic investments.
**Interviewer:** with Punjab allocated a surplus budget of 630 billion for June 2025, do you believe that this financial planning will significantly alleviate the environmental and infrastructural challenges currently faced?
**Uzma Bukhari:** Absolutely! The surplus budget is an essential step towards investing in sustainable development. If managed effectively, it could lead to significant improvements in both environmental quality and public services.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Minister Bukhari, for your insights. Readers, what are your thoughts on these issues? Do you believe that the Punjab government’s measures are adequate in addressing pollution in Lahore, or are we overlooking deeper systemic issues? Let’s discuss!