ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has approved a $300 million concessional loan to support efforts by Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province to improve air quality and battle smog, state-run media reported this week. 

Lahore, the provincial capital of Punjab, often ranks as the most polluted megacity in the world during the winter season between November and February. Experts say the pollution is primarily caused by factory and traffic emissions. It worsens in winter as farmers burn crop stubble and cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds trap the deadly pollutants.

Lahore’s 14 million residents spent six months breathing concentrations of PM2.5 — tiny particles that can penetrate the lungs and bloodstream — at levels 20 times or more than recommended by the World Health Organization last year, as per data analyzed by AFP.

“The World Bank has approved a concessional loan worth 300 million dollars under the International Development Association (IDA) to support the Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP),” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported on Saturday. 

It said the initiative aims to strengthen air quality management and combat pollution across the province, adding that the PCAP will assist Punjab in implementing its Smog Mitigation Action Plan (SMAP). 

The SMAP will seek to introduce several measures to improve air quality, particularly in the transport, agriculture, industry, energy, and municipal services sectors, the state-run media said. 

As per the report, World Bank Country Director Pakistan Najy Benhassine described the program as a “landmark initiative” for improving air quality and public health. 

“He said the cleaner air will reduce respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, leading to a healthier and more livable environment,” Radio Pakistan said. 

The report added that the program will enhance air quality management infrastructure, strengthen regulatory institutions and promote public awareness about pollution control.

“Key interventions under the program include the introduction of 5,000 super seeders to curb crop residue burning, which is one of the main causes of seasonal smog, along with the deployment of 600 electric buses to encourage public transport use,” Radio Pakistan said. 

The loan will also be used to increase regulatory-grade air quality monitoring stations across Punjab, with two new fuel testing laboratories to be established to improve fuel quality standards.

The program will promote behavioral change through educational campaigns and citizen engagement, with schools and hospitals, along with other vulnerable groups, to receive targeted adviseries on air pollution health impacts and prevention measures.

This year the smog in Punjab was so thick it could be seen from space and prompted authorities to close schools serving millions of students across the province, including Lahore.

Air pollution can cause sore throats, stinging eyes and respiratory illnesses, while prolonged exposure can trigger strokes, heart disease and lung cancer

With inputs from AFP

QUETTA: Wearing hair nets and face masks, shopkeepers carefully packed fried lentils, chickpeas, potato chips and other nimco snacks into plastic bags for hoards of eager Eid Al-Fitr shoppers earlier this week. 
The scene is from a shop on Quetta’s famous Masjid Road, where hundreds of customers have been arriving daily ahead of the Eid holiday to buy nimco, a popular traditional Pakistani snack, typically a mix of fried ingredients like lentils, chickpeas, potatoes, nuts, and spices. Nimco is characterized by its crispy texture and spicy flavor, making it a popular snack for social gatherings and special occasions. 
While many Pakistanis celebrate the Eid festival with sweets like vermicelli, rice puddings and jalebi funnel cakes, in Quetta, nimco is the go-to snack.
“This bazaar is called Masjid Road and its specialty is that it is known as the Nimco Bazaar,” said Waled Sabir, a customer. “All the nimco varieties available in Pakistan can be found here.”

Safiullah Khan, the owner of a 35-year-old nimco store on Masjid Road, said he was at his shop all day long in the days before Eid to cater to holiday revelers. 
“Fried potato chips, lentils and mixed nimco are the basic and most in-demand items on Eid,” he said. 

Apart from the appeal of its salty and crunchy flavor, nimco was also popular because of its affordability, Khan said. 
“Nimco is an important and affordable item for many Pakistanis during Eid and not as expensive as other dried fruits,” he said.
Syed Akram Shah, 52, agreed that nimco was a popular alternative to expensive dried fruits. 
“Dry fruits are not accessible to poor masses but nimco is an affordable refreshment for us on Eid,” he said as he shopped earlier this month on Masjid Road for fried lentils, his favorite type of nimco. 

“There is no Eid without nimco because we serve these crunchy snacks to our relatives and friends with a cup of tea when they come over for Eid,” Shah, who had traveled from Mastung city located around 50 kilometers from Quetta, said. “It is a tradition in Balochistan.” 
Waleed Sabir, who lives in Quetta, said he had come to Masjid Road because he knew he would find all kinds of nimco there to buy for the Eid holiday.

“People of Balochistan are very hospitable and every dining table in every house will be decorated with refreshment items and nimco during the three days of Eid.”
Though Balochistan has seen rise in militant attacks in recent months, which have dampened Eid shopping, many shoppers and sellers said nimco was still a hot favorite. 
“Compared to the past [Eids], activities [in markets] have declined a bit due to the law and order and the prevailing situation,” said Khan the nimco seller, “but overall things are still fine.”