Pakistan’s Punjab is reeling under a severe air pollution crisis. The city of Multan crossed the AQI 2,000 mark recently while Lahore’s has been exceeding 1,100 regularly. Both cities have been put under lockdown for nine days as hospitals are overwhelmed by patients with asthma and other respiratory diseases. Even though this discussion is revived every year in November and December, there is little improvement in the situation.
Dawn (November 16) says, “It is not with seasonal firefighting that Punjab can deal with this recurrent problem. It must address primary pollution sources: A rickety transport infrastructure, industrial emissions and urban sprawl.” Recognising a similar situation in Delhi, the editorial points out that “while 70 per cent of Lahore’s smog is generated locally, around 30 per cent wafts in from India… [which] makes bilateral cooperation essential.”
The Nation (November 13) also urges the government to “look ahead to next year… [because] this work requires consistent, year-round action, not a few rushed days.” Listing down a few solutions, the editorial says, “Firstly, stubble burning should be criminalised and penalised… Secondly, a thorough review of all industries that contribute to smog should be conducted.”
PTI’s Imran Khan’s ‘final call’
Earlier this week, incarcerated PTI leader Imran Khan asked his supporters to rally on November 24 against the government in Islamabad. Declaring it as the “final call”, Khan’s demands for this protest include “revoking the 26th Amendment, restoring democracy, returning the public’s mandate, and releasing political prisoners”.
Pointing out the political and economic instability caused by the current regime, Express Tribune (November 15) says, “Though one can differ with the policy perspective and reactionary politics of PTI, it goes without saying that Khan’s prolonged detention in the absence of any due litigation is leading the political mosaic towards the brink, and warrants some deep introspection. Pakistan’s sliding economic indicators, especially the struggle it is putting up in rolling over loans with international creditors, is owing to abject chaos and instability at home.”
News International (November 15), on the other hand, believes that PTI “seems to be risking an embarrassment” because “this march has the makings of a high-stakes spectacle that could backfire”. Suggesting that the party rethink its vision to ensure a more powerful response and genuine, meaningful change, the editorial says: “Without a clear strategy or realistic demands, the PTI’s march might ultimately serve as little more than a rallying cry into the void – loud, emotional, but ultimately futile. For the party, the choice is stark: Strategise wisely and take tangible steps to fortify its presence, or risk becoming its own worst enemy.”
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Sri Lanka parliamentary elections
Sri Lanka held parliamentary elections on November 14 to elect its 225 representatives after Anura Kumara Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power came to power as President in September. Dissanayake had immediately called snap elections to secure parliamentary backing. The NPP has secured a two-thirds majority in parliament, winning 159 of 225 seats with the Opposition alliance, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), having won 40 seats. According to the media, this election is also “a testament to the JVP/NPP political combination who, despite leading two failed armed uprisings (which were crushed, with the top leadership killed), has been able to rise like the Phoenix. Their secret… remaining faithful to their cause.”
The Island (November 16) says, “Now, the road is clear for President Dissanayake and the NPP, and they will have to deliver what they promised the people, who have long wish lists.” Reminding the President of the fleeting nature of victory, the editorial is optimistic: “President Dissanayake has said he will not turn back until the country attains its development goals. He has also undertaken to cleanse Parliament as a national priority; thankfully, the ‘Maroon Wave’… has already flushed out many political dregs.”
Daily Mirror (November 16) focuses on the social changes promised by the Dissanayake government, pointing out that the “minority communities voted in numbers to ensure President Dissanayake and his new team received support to form a stable government.” Pointing to the opportunity the administration has, it adds: “It is now up to the government to prove their trust has not been in vain. Let us not forget Tamils, Burghers, Muslims, Hindus and Christians of this country have all been subject to attacks of racist mobs backed by state patronage. Dissanayake now has an opportunity to turn the page on ethno-religious differences and start anew.”
adya.goyal@expressindia.com
