Lahore:Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Energy Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar has called for collective efforts by the government, educational institutions, civil society, the private sector and the public to combat climate change, control smog and protect the environment.
Addressing a ‘COP in My City’ event at the University of Lahore, here on Monday, he said the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, was taking practical measures to protect the environment and control pollution, adding that a clean, green and healthy Punjab remained a key government priority.
The minister said environmental protection was a shared responsibility and could not be ensured through government action alone. He stressed that public cooperation, compliance with environmental laws and responsible behaviour were essential to reducing pollution and improving environmental conditions.
He said climate change, air pollution and smog had far-reaching consequences, requiring consistent planning, effective implementation and greater public awareness. He added that citizens could contribute by reducing unnecessary pollution, maintaining cleanliness, conserving water, planting trees and adopting environmentally friendly practices.
Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said universities could play a vital role in raising environmental awareness among young people and developing sustainable solutions through research, modern scientific approaches and practical initiatives. He termed seminars, lectures and awareness campaigns on climate change and environmental protection important steps towards engaging students in addressing environmental challenges.
Emphasising the role of youth, he said students, teachers, researchers and social organisations should actively participate in environmental protection initiatives. Linking academic research with society’s practical needs could help develop effective and sustainable responses to climate-related challenges, he added.
The minister observed that smog and environmental pollution had not received the attention they required in the past, but the PML-N government was treating climate change and environmental protection as serious priorities. He stressed that safeguarding natural resources and ensuring a clean and healthy environment for future generations required sustained public participation, institutional cooperation and the translation of environmental awareness into practical action.