Toba Tek Singh: Hundreds of people joined protest action in Toba Tek Singh urging the government to take concrete steps to tackle smog and pollution in the province. The mobilization marched from Chungi Gojra road to Shahbaz Chowk & ended at press Club, calling on Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to implement a permanent coal ban and end fossil fuel expansion in the country that are primary drivers of smog and environmental pollution. The protest was organized by the Pakistan Brick-Kiln Workers Union joined by Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee– a network of Peasant and farmers organizations.

“We call for a rapid and equitable phaseout of fossil fuels and a direct transition to 100 percent renewable energy. Developed countries, those with the biggest historical emissions, have the responsibility to deliver a fair and funded phase out of fossil fuels so that countries like Pakistan could tackle smog and environmental pollution. They have the means to mobilise trillions of dollars for urgent climate action domestically and internationally by ending fossil fuel subsidies, making big polluters pay, taxing the mega-rich, and stopping funding for war and militarism,” said Farooq Tariq, the General Secretary of Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee.

“It is unacceptable that in the face of the intensifying climate crisis and despite a coal moratorium, Pakistan increased the share of coal in the electricity mix. We have a significant potential for renewable energy, like solar and wind. We should be accelerating the shift to renewable energy systems, but we are even expanding coal production and greenlighting new gas projects. This will lock us into deeper fossil fuel dependence as well as intensifying smog and environmental pollution, the government needs to take concrete action to solve this problem,” said Mohammad Shabbir, the General Secretary of Brick-Kiln Workers Union.

Coal dependence is growing rapidly in Pakistan. The government has also recently hinted at switching back to local lignite coal of Thar to offset the costs of imported coal. Environmentalists however have decried the growing reliance on fossil fuels to meet energy demands in the country.

November 15, 2024

Released by:

Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee

Pakistan Brick Klin Workers Union - Punjab.