THE Punjab government, it seems, has no long-term and concrete policy regarding industries in general and agriculture in particular. It only seems to ameliorate the situation in the aftermath of every event.

Smog in Pakistan is a recent phenomenon and indeed a dangerous one, but the fact is that it is the result of years of deforestation — thanks to a government which is only obsessed with over-head bridges and underpasses and least interested in human health and development.

In spite of undertaking concrete measures against smog it has imposed section 144 in haste on the burning of agricultural waste without giving any alternative. This shows the government’s short-sightedness.

This has irked an already deprived community because they are left with no option except to sit idly because if they burn waste they are caught by the police and if they don’t then they can’t seed wheat. The authorities concerned should address the farmers’ grievances.

I hope something productive comes out of my appeal.

Zeeshan Ali Tarar

Lahore

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2017