Lahore, (PR) : Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, addressing a press conference on the current national situation, emphasized the country’s efforts to tackle smog. She noted that smog has now spread as far as Karachi. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made progressive decisions regarding the issue, and all government departments are actively working in the field to address the problem. The weather forecast for the next four days predicts improvement, she added.
Commenting on the political landscape, the Senior Minister criticized PTI, stating that their past and present actions demonstrate opposition to the country’s progress. “In 2014, when Pakistan was on a path of development under Nawaz Sharif, PTI disrupted progress by staging protests in D-Chowk. Today, they continue to hinder the country’s progress with baseless activities,” she said. Marriyum Aurangzeb highlighted that inflation has decreased to single digits, the profit rate has risen to 15%, and development projects are ongoing. She questioned, “Why is PTI agitated? Is their protest against decreasing inflation and national stability?”
The Senior Minister dismissed PTI’s planned protest on November 24 as “frivolous,” likening it to a domestic squabble. She criticized PTI’s attempts to incite unrest and declared their leader a convicted criminal. She remarked, “Breaking a criminal out of jail is an attack on the state. This is not jihad; it is sheer mischief. True jihad serves the integrity and development of the nation.”
Marriyum Aurangzeb also pointed out that no PTI representative has raised any substantial issues in the Parliament and condemned their actions as a waste of the nation’s time and resources. She urged PTI to resolve their internal matters privately and contribute to national progress. Referring to Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, she stated, “There has never been an accusation of public fund misuse against him. In contrast, PTI’s governance was marked by halted projects and chaos.”
She acknowledged that the smog issue requires collective efforts and appreciated the EPA’s consistent surveillance and action plans. “We have introduced a 10-year anti-smog plan, and Lahore’s Green Master Plan is complete, with similar plans underway for other districts. For the first time, work has been done to improve AQI. Smog cannot be resolved overnight, but progress is evident,” she said. Marriyum Aurangzeb also announced plans to align the academic calendar with the smog season and promote carpooling as long-term solutions.
Highlighting the performance of her government, Senior Minister stated that in just eight months, significant work has been done to address smog and ensure development. She called on all provinces to collaborate for the nation’s betterment and emphasized that Muslim League N’s track record proves progress and public welfare under their governance.
She concluded by lauding the media for its responsible coverage of environmental issues and reiterated that the fight against smog requires joint efforts and long-term commitment.