Call to declare climate emergency

 Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) organised a meeting with legislators and policy makers on environmental issues of provincial capital on Wednesday and presented a charter of demands to all parliamentarians.

© Thomson Reuters People chant slogans as they carry signs against what they say is the government's cruel mismanagement of the climate crisis during a march against climate injustice in Karachi, Pakistan December 12, 2021. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro

The organisation demanded the government declare a climate emergency in Lahore, gradually ban plastic bags and promote usage of eco-friendly bags, form Pakistan Environment Council to regularly monitor environmental issues, make recharge wells for underground water, use technology for industries to reduce smog, educate students about environment protection in schools and colleges, launch a public awareness campaign etc.

The meeting was attended by a large number of people from all walks of life including Punjab Minister for Minorities and Human Rights Ejaz Alam Augustine, Chairperson Standing Committee on Interior Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, MPA Bushra Anjum Butt, Parliamentary Secretary Information and Culture Punjab Nadeem Qureshi, MPA Saqib Khursheed and MPA Youdester Chohan.