Maryam Nawaz hints at starting smog diplomacy with India

Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Maryam Nawaz spoke at a Diwali ceremony earlier today, during which she hinted at writing a letter to the Chief Minister of Indian Punjab on the issue of smog.

“We need to have diplomacy with India regarding the issue of smog in Lahore. I’m thinking of writing a letter to the Punjab Chief Minister [Bhagwant Mann] in India that this is not just a political issue, this is a humanitarian issue,” CM said while addressing the ceremony in Lahore, adding that if Pakistan makes this move, India should reciprocate.

On a lighter note, she pointed out, “The winds don’t know there’s a border in the middle.”

“Until both Punjabs come together, we won’t be able to tackle the issue of smog,” she asserted.

CM Maryam Nawaz also congratulated the Hindu community on the festival of Diwali and paid tribute to the services of the minorities in the country.

She pledged that she would “stand by the minorities if someone tried to hurt them.

“Minorities are the crown of our head; their protection and respect is the responsibility of the government. We are all Pakistanis without any discrimination,” she said.

Chief Minister also announced a gift of 15 thousand rupees to 1400 Hindu families on Diwali and that the funds for minorities have been doubled.

She further announced the launch of the Minority Card by December 20, according to which the minorities will get ten and a half thousand rupees in three months.

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“All minority members across Punjab, especially poverty-stricken minorities who don’t have a lot of resources, will receive Rs10,500 through the Minority Card,” she said.

CM Maryam Nawaz also addressed the incidents of extremism in the country, stating, “In the recent past, there have been incidents with minorities that have made my head hang in shame, and it has caused me great pain to see trivial misunderstandings become full-blown fights.

“Because there are few minorities, it is our responsibility to provide a safe Pakistan, a safe Punjab for them so that they can stay in their houses safely, without any fear of danger, and that they feel that this is their country and they have every right to be here,” she stressed.

Lahore and Delhi are again in tight competition to lead the list of most polluted cities in the world this year. Lahore reached as high as 708 points on the Air Quality Index.

Today, IQAir recorded Delhi holding a top rank with 196 points, while Lahore lagged six points behind it.