The recent air pollution crisis in Pakistan, particularly in Lahore, has reached alarming levels, raising concerns across the region. As Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) skyrocketed to an unprecedented 1,900, the debate around the source of the pollution has taken a political turn, with Pakistan blaming neighboring India for the worsening air quality.
The severe smog, comparable to that of India’s capital, Delhi, has not only affected daily life but has also strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Lahore’s Pollution Crisis Reaches Unprecedented Levels
On November 2, 2024, Lahore, the second-largest city in Pakistan, recorded its highest-ever AQI level, reaching a staggering 1,900. According to data released by both the provincial government and IQAir, a Swiss air quality monitoring agency, this marks a critical point in Lahore’s ongoing battle with pollution.
For several years, the city has struggled with deteriorating air quality, especially during the cooler months when weather conditions contribute to the formation of smog. However, this year’s pollution levels have far exceeded anything previously recorded.
The problem of air pollution in Lahore is not new. The city’s industrial activity, construction projects, vehicle emissions, and agricultural burning have contributed to the growing smog problem.
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However, this year, the surge in AQI levels has reached a dangerous level, endangering public health and overwhelming the city’s infrastructure. On November 3, Lahore topped IQAir’s real-time list of the world’s most polluted cities, surpassing even cities notorious for pollution, such as Delhi and Beijing.
The high levels of pollutants in the air have caused serious health concerns among the citizens of Lahore. Many hospitals have reported a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses, while special smog counters have been set up to manage the surge in patients.
The provincial government, in an attempt to mitigate the crisis, has shut down primary schools for a week, implemented work-from-home policies for half of the city’s office employees, and imposed restrictions on certain types of vehicles, such as three-wheelers and rickshaws. Construction activities have been temporarily halted, and factories that do not comply with air quality regulations face the threat of closure.
Despite these measures, the city continues to grapple with the choking smog, and the administration has called for more drastic action, including discussions with neighboring India, which has become a focal point in the debate.
Pakistan Points Fingers at India
As Lahore’s pollution levels reached critical levels, the Pakistani government, specifically Senior Minister of Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb, pointed to India as the source of the problem.
In a statement that caught the attention of both domestic and international media, Aurangzeb claimed that polluted winds carrying particulate matter from Indian cities such as Amritsar and Chandigarh were a major contributor to the pollution in Lahore.
Aurangzeb expressed frustration with the situation, stating that Pakistan cannot control the air flowing in from across the border. She argued that only through diplomatic dialogue with India can the two nations address the cross-border pollution problem.
According to Aurangzeb, the pollution crisis cannot be resolved without discussions between the two countries, stressing that the provincial government plans to initiate talks through Pakistan’s foreign ministry.
This accusation has added a political dimension to the environmental crisis, deepening the divide between Pakistan and India. Aurangzeb’s remarks are not without precedent, as both countries have previously blamed each other for environmental issues. However, this time, the intensity of the air pollution in Lahore has given new urgency to the matter.
While Aurangzeb’s call for dialogue may be a step towards finding a solution, the reality is that air pollution is a complex issue that transcends national borders.
The seasonal phenomenon of temperature inversion, which traps pollutants close to the ground during the cooler months, is one of the main reasons for the spike in pollution levels in cities like Lahore and Delhi. Additionally, agricultural burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial activity on both sides of the border contribute to the high levels of smog.
The Pakistani government’s stance that India’s pollution is significantly affecting Lahore has raised questions about the potential for cooperation between the two nations. Air pollution is a shared problem that affects millions of people in the region, and experts argue that only through joint efforts can the two countries mitigate the impact of environmental degradation.
The Broader Impact of South Asia’s Air Pollution Crisis
The air pollution crisis in Lahore is reflective of a broader environmental issue affecting South Asia. Cities across Pakistan and India have been battling high levels of air pollution for years, with little improvement in sight. The pollution levels in Lahore and Delhi often mirror each other, with both cities experiencing severe smog during the winter months.
The air quality in both countries tends to deteriorate during this period due to a combination of factors, including weather patterns, agricultural practices, and industrial activity.
In Lahore, the government’s response has been swift but has yet to yield significant results. Along with the closure of schools and restrictions on vehicles and factories, the administration has urged citizens to take precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and limiting outdoor activities.
Hospitals across the city have been put on high alert, and health experts have warned that the long-term effects of breathing polluted air could lead to an increase in chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
In India, similar measures have been taken to combat the pollution problem, with Delhi regularly imposing restrictions on vehicle use and construction activities during the smog season. However, these actions have only provided temporary relief, and the problem persists year after year.
The cross-border blame game, as seen in the recent accusations by Pakistan, underscores the difficulty of addressing environmental issues in a region where political tensions run high. While both countries face similar challenges in dealing with pollution, the lack of cooperation between them hinders the development of effective solutions.
Environmental experts have long called for regional collaboration to tackle air pollution in South Asia. The transboundary nature of air pollution means that any efforts to reduce emissions in one country will likely have a positive impact on its neighbors.
Joint efforts, such as creating shared pollution control strategies, setting up cross-border air quality monitoring systems, and coordinating agricultural burning practices, could go a long way in reducing smog levels.
However, geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan make such cooperation difficult. The two countries have a history of conflict, and environmental issues are often pushed aside in favor of more immediate political concerns.
Nonetheless, the rising air pollution levels in cities like Lahore and Delhi highlight the urgent need for action. Without coordinated efforts, the health and well-being of millions of people in the region will continue to be at risk.
Lahore’s air pollution crisis has brought the issue of environmental degradation to the forefront of national and international discourse. With AQI levels reaching unprecedented highs, the city’s residents are facing serious health risks, and the government is scrambling to implement measures to reduce pollution. However, the crisis has also taken on a political dimension, with Pakistan accusing India of contributing to the pollution problem.
While dialogue between the two countries may help address some aspects of the issue, the larger problem of air pollution in South Asia requires a coordinated regional approach. Both India and Pakistan face similar challenges when it comes to pollution, and without joint efforts, the situation is unlikely to improve.
In the coming months, as the cooler weather continues to trap pollutants close to the ground, the air quality in cities like Lahore and Delhi will remain a major concern. The citizens of these cities, and indeed the entire region, deserve cleaner air, and it is up to the governments of both countries to put aside their differences and work together to solve this pressing issue.
let’s enjoy few years on earth with peace and happiness….✍🏼🙏