Lahore, a city of vibrant culture, historical richness, and a remarkable heritage, is sadly known for something else as well—the annual invasion of smog. This toxic haze has become an uninvited guest that overstays its welcome, making itself at home in our lives every year. It’s disheartening to acknowledge that this hazardous atmosphere has seamlessly integrated itself into our routines, as if it’s an inevitable part of living in this city.
As winter approaches, smog has set up camp in Pakistan’s Punjab province, and the amount of smog generated by air pollution in Lahore, the state’s city, has reached a very dangerous level in recent weeks.
The smog in Lahore is more than just a seasonal inconvenience. It’s a health issue that puts a pall over the city, harming the lives of millions. As the air becomes thicker with pollution, it presents a concern to respiratory health, exacerbating conditions for individuals already suffering from respiratory disorders and posing risks even to people who were previously unaffected. Children, the elderly, and anyone with health issues face the brunt of this perilous smog.
People feel as if they are living in a nightmare on certain days when smoke covers Lahore in orange and brown colors and the smell and taste of smoke permeates the air.
According to the Air Quality Index (AQI), which measures air pollution levels, the air quality in Lahore and its surrounding areas is so poor that it is estimated to reduce the life expectancy of its citizens by seven years. This is a concerning issue that requires immediate attention and action to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on the health and well-being of the people living in the affected areas.
How did we get here? The factors contributing to Lahore’s smog are multifaceted and deeply rooted. Traffic emissions, industrial pollutants, fossil fuel-fired power plants, garbage burning, and crop burning. The burning of crop residues or trash after a large-scale harvest across the border by Pakistan is believed to contribute significantly to air pollution in Pakistani cities, specifically Lahore. Interestingly, the same practice is currently being implemented on a massive scale within Pakistan itself.
This has resulted in a quick increase in fatal health problems, aggravating asthma, allergies, eye infections, respiratory tract infections, and cardiac diseases, eventually leading to death. Schools intermittently close, and outdoor activities dwindle, impacting the quality of life for all. The economy suffers as productivity declines, and medical costs escalate.
The smog situation has been deteriorating in Punjab lately, prompting the PDMA and the Punjab government to declare a health emergency in several districts. The pollution has been declared a catastrophe in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana, Kasur, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad.
In response, Section 144 has been enforced in Lahore Division. This means that the administration and police will work together to take action against individuals who contribute to air pollution.
Furthermore, public awareness and individual responsibility are equally critical. Citizens must actively advocate for change, adopting eco-friendly practices, reducing personal carbon footprints, and holding both authorities and industries accountable for their environmental impact.
The importance of public knowledge and participation cannot be overstated. Communities must actively participate in understanding the causes and consequences of smog, allowing them to demand and implement environmentally responsible behaviors and regulations. Educational programs, community efforts, and civic involvement can all play important roles in fostering a broader movement toward a cleaner, healthier Lahore.
Normalizing Lahore’s smog as an inevitable seasonal occurrence is accepting defeat in the battle for clean air and a healthier environment. It should not be regarded as an unavoidable aspect of our life, but rather as a wake-up call, requiring structural change, responsible governance, and individual accountability. The toxic atmosphere that hangs over Lahore should act as a catalyst for change, where every person, institution, and policymaker acknowledge their duty in protecting the environment and future generations’ health.
Smog in Lahore is no longer just an inconvenience or a seasonal occurrence. It is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention, joint efforts, and a shared determination to recapture clean air and a healthier environment for all. The time to act is now; the air we breathe and the future we create are at stake.