(7th April 2015 – Indian Express) Saudi asks Pakistan for help, National Air Quality Index launched
Saudi Arabia asked Pakistan for Military aircraft , warships & soldiers for Yemen campaign
- Saudi Arabia asked Pakistan for military aircraft, warships & soldiers
- Saudi Arabia (Sunni Muslim power) strikes Shia hauthi forces in Yemen
- Pak PM : Will defend any threat to Saudi Arabia’s “territorial Integrity”
- Pak needs regular injection of foreign cash to avoid economic meltdown. Last year saudis gave pakistan $1.5 billion
- Saudi arabia sheltered N Sharif in 1999 military coup.
- Joining Saudi led coalition could inflame a sectarian conflict at pakistan (1/5th of population of pakistan is shi’ite)
- It would anger Shia Power Iran.
- Military has the final say (silent now) – Analysts
- Even though Saudi Arabia is a “special Friend” of both government & Military, Pakistan intervention in Yemen might be unwise. – Former National Security Adviser.
Art. Ref. : Yemen crisis: Pakistan says Saudi Arabia asked for warplanes, warships, more – http://www.financialexpress.com/article/miscellaneous/yemen-crisis-pakistan-says-saudi-arabia-asked-for-warplanes-warships-more/60998/
Tracking Air
- PM launched a National Air Quality Index for 10 cities.
- The index will be expanded to 46 more cities wit a population of more than 1 million and 20 state capitals.
- Most indian cities have few or no air monitoring systems. –> policymakers & public lack information about pollution levels.
- More people die of chronic respiratory diseases in India than anywhere else in world.
How national Air Quality Index will help us ?
- Can be effective tool for citizens to mobilize and put pressure on politicians to address the cause of air pollution & devise solutions.
- Better information can help such as keeping school going children at home when the air quality is particularly bad (Followed in Shanghai & Beijing).
What can be done to curb Air pollution ?
- Sources of air pollution is numerous and it requires a coordinated policy response across sectors such as transport, industry and power.
- Market friendly environmental reforms – Incentivising factories and power plants to pollute less and penalizing them if they do not comply.
Art. Ref. : Tracking air – http://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/tracking-air/
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