Experts laud 38 environmental Protection projects in Punjab

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Feb, 2026) Dr. Saeed Ahmad Ali

Experts on Sunday lauded the launch of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Climate Resilient Punjab

Vision 2024”, terming it as historic steps for environmental protection and smog free.

It is worth mentioning here that under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Climate Resilient Punjab Vision 2024”, historic steps have been taken for environmental protection and smog eradication.

The noted environmentalists expressed their gratitude that for the first time, the provincial government has started fast-track implementation of 38 projects by finalising the Annual Development Plans (ADPs) of the Environment Agency (EPA) and Climate Change Department ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has said that 30 modern fog cannons will be installed on electric trucks at a cost of Rs 3 billion for smog control.

In her recent briefing, she said work was progressing on 38 Annual Development Programme (ADP) schemes. After providing 5,000 super seeders at a 60 per cent subsidy this year, the government has added another 15,000 super seeders, 5,000 balers and harvesters to the programme to help curb crop residue burning.

Likewise, 15 anti-smog guns have provided coverage of up to 47,000 kilometers, which recorded a 30 to 45 percent reduction in PM10.

She said that the government has decided to launch a comprehensive clean air program by allocating Rs 2.25 billion for the Lahore Air Improvement Framework.

Two modern training centres are operational, offering specialist programmes. The Punjab Green school Programme has been expanded to 41 districts, with more than 18,000 schools registered. Preparations have been completed for a low-emission zone in Lahore and GIS-based emission hotspot mapping, she informed.

For the first time, real-time identification of air pollution sources will be possible through super stations, while modern air quality governance will be implemented under the “One City, One Policy” model with the support of China.

Establishment of a low emission zone in Lahore and mapping of GIS-based emission hotspots have also been completed.

Noted environmentalist Mahmood Khalid Qamar said that the provincial government's decision to phase out industries from Lahore before the next smog season is extremly nice, while lauding its initiative for approving the introduction of EV-1 systems in place of two and three wheelers.

He appreciated government's instructions to make Gulberg, Link Road, Packages Mall and Dolman Mall plastic-free zones under plastic-free zoning across Punjab. So far, more than 461,000 kilograms of banned plastic bags have been seized and more than 36,000 pledges have been collected, he expressed gratitude.

He further lauded the steps to modernise the environmental monitoring system, more than 50 modern air quality monitors have been installed across Punjab, while 15 modern water quality monitoring stations have been activated on five rivers, he said adding Punjab Climate Watch and Real-Time Dashboard have also been launched, that is a positive step in right direction.

Environmntalist Sarwat Mirza said that the government's announcement of establishing of Punjab Climate Observatory and deciision to present the Punjab Climate Change Act and Observatory Act to the cabinet within six months is a positive sign in eradicating climate change hazards. Complete digitalization of EPA, online fine and case management system, and digital audit system, were also being implemented, he added.

It is worth mentioning here that a Rs 500 million biomass circular economy project is being launched to eliminate crop residue burning in the agriculture sector.

After providing 5,000 superseeders at 60 percent subsidy this year, another 15,000 superseeders, 5,000 balers and harvesters have been added to the ADP.

Furthermore, according to the provincial government, these measures aim to ensure clean air, effective environmental governance and sustainable development to make Punjab safe from environmental challenges.