Shura Hamdard: speakers for adoption of scientific methods to avoid smog

Speakers at the meeting of Shura Hamdard Karachi chapter urged the government to facilitate the farmers to choose scientific methods to remove the roots of cotton crops, after cutting them, and to sow new crops in order to avoid smog which is very harmful to the health of people, living in Lahore and other cities.
The meeting was held on December 14 on the theme: "Effects of Smog - Chimate Change or Human Negligence" under the chairmanship of former Justice Haziqul Khairi at a local hall. Sadia Rashid, President, Hamdard Foundation Pakistan was also present at the meeting.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Abubakr said that the main reasons of smog were i) burning of cotton crops' roots and the smoke thus created was intensified by the smoke of Indian cotton crops; ii) smoke, emitted from industry and vehicles and iii) intensive moisture of atmosphere due to air pollution. This situation could be changed by administrative and scientific measures, he said, adding that our government didn't has political strength to make hard decisions.
"Now-a-days in Pakistan administrative measures are being taken by the court and 90 percent administrative decisions are being made by courts," he said and quoted the example of Orange Line Metro Train project which was closed by the Lahore High Court and after a laps of long time the Supreme Court gave verdict in favour of it and this project has now been started again.
"The effects of climate change are being felt throughout the world and all nations of the world are worried about this development, but the key of solution of this great problem is in the hand of USA and China, being the biggest industrial countries," he said.
Former Justice Haziqul Khairi was of the view that courts were not meant to run the administration of the country and it was the responsibility of bureaucrats only but they were made gradually weak and helpless by the successive governments in Pakistan.
Dr Rizwana Ansari suggested that if we wanted to save our globe we should train our new generation how to avoid pollution making them aware of the bad effects of climate change. Subject of Climate Change should be included in curricula of schools and colleges, she added.
Professor Kafil Ahmed while stressing upon the need of education said that without education nobody would be able to understand the consequences of climate change. Education should be the first priority of the government, he added. Professor Dr Tanvir Khalid while emphasizing the need of information and knowledge about the pollution and climate change said that the training for this purpose should be given in educational institutions and through media as they were more effective means to create awareness. Huma Baig and Sheikh Usman Damohi also spoke. Shura in a unanimous resolution has condoled the deaths of Masood Ahmed Barakati and Khalid Ikramullah Khan, who died recently.-PR