Belem: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday unveiled an extensive vision for a sustainable and climate-resilient province, emphasizing that climate protection will be central to all government decisions. Speaking at the inauguration of the Pakistan Pavilion at COP-30 in Belém, Brazil, she described the fight against smog as “no longer a slogan but a mission.”
The vision includes a series of reforms, projects, and technological interventions aimed at safeguarding the environment and revitalizing Punjab’s natural ecosystem. The provincial budget to combat smog has been increased from Rs94 billion to Rs123 billion, reflecting a major policy shift toward green governance.
Maryam Nawaz highlighted initiatives under the Punjab Clean Air and E-Mobility Vision, including the introduction of ten automated rapid transit systems in major cities, conversion of landfill sites into solar parks and green forests, and promotion of eco-friendly fuels and waste-to-energy projects.
Efforts to ensure clean water and sanitation are also underway, with district water and sanitation authorities established in 41 districts and 2,500 model villages being developed across the province. Under the Plastic Management Cell, more than 2.5 million citizens have pledged to reduce plastic usage.
The Punjab Wildlife and Biodiversity Programme has rescued over 35,000 birds and 700 animals, including 23 bears from captivity. South Asia’s largest wildlife hospital and three rescue centres are being built, while environmental courts have begun penalizing illegal wildlife trade with fines and jail sentences.
Referring to the 2025 floods, which affected five million people in 27 districts, the CM said the disaster prompted the creation of the Punjab Climate Resilient 2025 Initiative, integrating data governance and citizen support systems.
Highlighting Punjab’s leadership in scientific climate management, she noted that 100 air-quality stations are now linked to an AI-powered Smog War Room, and South Asia’s first real-time Climate Observatory is being established in Lahore in collaboration with SUPARCO and NASA. More than 8,500 Safe City cameras and thermal sensors are tracking pollution, while industries and brick kilns are being geo-tagged and QR-coded to ensure compliance.
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