(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/

Read the full article at the source : The Indian Express (Links provided).

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