LAHORE: Chief Secretary Punjab, Zahid Akhtar Zaman, disclosed that two artificial rain projects are being considered to combat smog in Punjab, although World Bank officials disagree with these initiatives.
Addressing the media in Lahore, Zaman emphasized the need for a thorough examination of smog causes, highlighting collaborative efforts with the World Bank to control its impact.
Despite the World Bank’s preference for importing 30 electric buses to address smog, Zaman noted that Lahore requires 1400 buses for improved travel facilities.
The decision to halt Chingchi rickshaw operations in Lahore has been made due to 900 illegal workshops and plans to cease manufacturing and sales of new Chingchi rickshaws.
Zaman expressed dissatisfaction with smog testing equipment and discrepancies in smog data among different institutions.
Regarding the expulsion of illegal Afghan residents, he reported the removal of 900 Afghan refugees from Punjab and highlighted the annual loss of four billion dollars due to Afghan transit trade and smuggling.
Zaman credited the significant reduction in sugar prices and increased wheat abundance to the cessation of smuggling.
