Smog is a 'silent killer', can reduce lifespans by 6-11 years, says PM Imran Khan
February 12, 2021
- PM Imran Khan terms smog a "silent killer", vows to reverse its effects
- Says previous governments did not "care much" and did not plan for negative effects of rapid urbanisation
- Announces a "silent revolution" with plantation of olive trees close to Indus River
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that smog is a "silent killer" which reduces the life span of a person by 6-11 years and is becoming a big problem for rapidly developing cities.
He said the previous governments "never cared much" about how climate change is affecting Pakistan and the success of any country depends on long-term planning.
The premier expressed the government's resolve to change this practice and reverse the negative effects of rapid urbanisation.
His remarks came as he addressed an inauguration ceremony for the Gillani Park Urban Forestation initiative in Lahore.
The prime minister said that in the last 12-13 years the city has lost 70% of its tree cover due to urbanisation but no one saw that far ahead to realise the impact it would have in this time.
Counting the lingering effects of smog due to the lost green cover, the premier said that 6-11 years of a person's lifespan are reduced.
He said the adverse affects are so many they "cannot be quantified".
Having grown up in the city, he recalled a time when one would travel on Mall Road and after crossing Aitchison College would move towards Zaman Park, they would feel a temperature drop.
PM Imran Khan said he has seen the city transform right before his eyes, lamenting that as the population grew, planning was not done to accommodate the city's burgeoning needs.
"No one ever cared before, and now all these effects are before you which we are setting out to reverse," he said.
The prime minister said that it is not a huge ask, and can be done. Citing the example of Singapore, he said that the main river there was "nothing but sewerage" but lies transformed today after the prime minister set out on a mission to make the city state more environmentally friendly.
"That same river has fish swimming in it today," he said.
The premier said, what is required, however, is a lot of hard work, and lauded the efforts of Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam, Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar and the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) Lahore to take the "first step" in this regard.
"You have chosen 50 sites to implement the Miyawaki concept whereby a jungle that grew in 50 years previously will now grow in 10 or 20 years. So this is an excellent first step," he said.
The prime minister said that the coordinates of these 50 sites and what is planned for them must be shared with the people because they have a great interest in seeing the declining green cover restored.
He said in KP barren areas have been transformed into lush, green areas where the government undertook the Billion Tree Tsunami initiative. He urged the provincial government to share coordinates and photos of these trees as well.
'Silent revolution'
The premier also spoke of furthering the Billion Tree Tsunami objective, for which the entire country will now participate in a "spring plantation" drive.
"I will also go to other areas where will be carrying out this plantation," he said.
He added that a "silent revolution" the government will be bringing is the plantation of olive trees. "Experts say the right side of Indus River is the best area for plantation of olive trees."
PM Imran Khan said that when this takes off, in a few years, Pakistan will be able to export olive oil.
He said he will be formally launching the drive next week with dedicated areas for the plantation, urging the entire nation to take part as it involves the future of our children.
"Governments unfortunately only think of their five-year term [...] a country only progresses with long-term planning," the premier said.
He said China's secret to success is its long-term planning. "If you go to China, you will see the way they have declared entire cities as green cities [...] if you only make concrete jungles, it has very negative consequences."
Speaking of businessmen he said: "They don't like paying taxes, but they do donate [...] you will find big donors to bring about this green revolution in Lahore."
The prime minister urged students across all universities and schools to step up. He suggested that designated areas be assigned to students where they each take care of a few trees.
"It is important for them to take part because this is for their future."
