WB opposes Punjab’s artificial rain project

LAHORE: Despite severe smog in Lahore there is no sight of artificial rain due to the lack of agreement between the World Bank and the Punjab’s interim government.

The caretaker government, on November 17, had decided to tackle smog with artificial rain but in a recent talk with the media, Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman informed that World Bank officials do not agree with the artificial rain plan.

Zaman emphasized the need for a thorough examination of smog causes, highlighting collaborative efforts with the World Bank to control its impact.

“We [government] and the World Bank are working together to address the issues of smog and environmental pollution,” he said.

Despite the World Bank’s preference for importing 30 electric buses to address smog, Zaman noted that Lahore requires 1400 buses for improved travel facilities.

He also shared the hurdles faced by the government to counter the pollution in the city: “Smog testing equipment is not satisfactory and concern departments have discrepancy data related to smog.”

He added that a study has been started with the World Bank to eliminate smog.

As part of efforts to control smog, the Punjab government had formed a working group comprising representatives of relevant federal, provincial departments and military organizations to execute the project of artificial rain in Lahore.