Smog has become more than just discomfort for the residents of Punjab, Pakistan; it has turned their lives upside down and plunged the region's health infrastructure deep under strain. Recently, Punjab authorities declared health emergencies due to the dangerous levels of smog choking its cities, particularly Lahore and Faisalabad, sparking immediate action to mitigate the crisis.
This month, Lahore, with its dynamic lifestyle and rich culture, is feeling the harsh impacts of what locals term their "fifth season". This year's smog has been severe, blanketing the city more than usual and affecting millions. The dense haze has forced the government to impose restrictive measures such as early closures of markets and banning outdoor gatherings, drastically altering life for residents used to vibrant evenings filled with shopping and socializing.
Authorities reported nearly two million people became sick due to the severe air quality, which reached alarming levels on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Notably, on November 7, readings soared as high as 1,100 on the AQI, categorizing it as hazardous – any measure above 300 is deemed significantly unsafe. According to the city’s air quality manager, tiny particulate matter concentrations have been nearly 100 times over what the World Health Organization considers acceptable.
The growing concern is especially acute for children, with UNICEF highlighting the vulnerability of over 11 million children under the age of 5 in the province. Their smaller lungs and underdeveloped immune systems render them particularly susceptible to smog-related health issues. This urgent situation has left hospitals overflowing with patients, many suffering from respiratory problems. Children are being admitted with difficulty breathing, persistent coughs, and eye irritations.
Sumaira, 25, shared her woes, cradling her month-old child at Services Hospital. "My baby struggles to breathe. I see so many children here facing the same issues. I can only hope for rain, hoping it will bring relief soon,” she lamented.
Provincial officials are not taking this public health crisis lightly. Marriyum Aurangzeb, a senior minister, announced extended hospital hours, increased stock of respiratory medications, and the activation of ambulances equipped with breathing apparatuses to handle the surge of patients.
The alarming air quality isn’t just some seasonal nuisance; it’s symptomatic of larger issues embedded within Punjab’s urban and industrial landscapes. Environmental experts cite vehicle emissions and industrial discharges as key contributors to the toxic air enveloping cities. Approximately 45% of the year-round air pollution is attributed to car exhaust, much of which is fueled by low-quality gasoline. Industrial emissions account for another 40% of the pollution, alongside agricultural practices such as burning rice straw, which farmers long lament they’re unfairly blamed for as larger polluters continue to operate.
Ahmad Rafay Alam, environmental lawyer and activist, called on the government to initiate immediate and comprehensive measures to address the crisis. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts across borders, as regional air pollution doesn’t adhere to boundaries. The Malé Declaration from 1998, which aimed at tackling transnational air pollution across South Asia, remains largely unimplemented due to insufficient funding and political commitment.
Even with the designated lockdowns, the frustrations run high among local entrepreneurs and residents. Businesses are struggling with the newly enforced restrictions limiting operating hours, forcing shops to close by 8 p.m. "People start shopping after 4 p.m. We can’t adapt so quickly," lamented Chaudhry Kabir Ahmed, head of the Ichhra market traders’ association, who expressed the difficulties imposed by the government's sudden limitations.
To cope with the health crisis, the city had declared complete weekend lockdowns, reminiscent of strict COVID-19 restrictions, adding extra challenges to the culturally significant wedding season. Maskeen Butt, a soon-to-be bridegroom, voiced his concerns, "Our culture revolves around nighttime festivities and vibrant celebrations. Now everything feels rushed and pressured. It’s not just disheartening but incredibly challenging to plan anything when you have limited time to execute your arrangements.”
Adding to the distress felt across Lahore, many residents see the smog as more than just pollution, but as potential divine discontent. Friday prayers have become venues for mass supplication, as thousands gather requesting rain, viewing the disaster of polluted air as signs of divine wrath. "Floods, earthquakes, and smog — these are all God’s signs. We must pray for His forgiveness," said Syed Hashim, expressing how many have come to perceive the smog beyond its environmental roots.
There’s also the harsh reality for lower-income families, who can't afford air purifiers or other protective measures. Instead, they breathe the smog-laden air, their homes offering little respite from the toxic environment. Families like 60-year-old Amna Bibi's, living on the fringes of Lahore, face particularly dire conditions, dwindling hope as pollution seeps relentlessly through their homes, ratcheting up their everyday struggles.
The government has made moves to enforce stricter regulations on industrial emissions and end harmful agricultural practices like rice straw burning. Many farmers contend they are being unfairly targeted when addressing air quality issues. Ghulam Mustafa, 41, who farms rice, argued, "Instead of focusing on us, they should control larger polluters. Smog affects our crops and livelihoods—it's not our fault it’s gotten worse."
Such complaints highlight the need for holistic solutions—addressing both urban and rural pollution sources through collaborative dialogue and investment to innovate cleaner technologies and policies. An Integrated Urban Development Plan would incentivize sustainable practices and transform public transportation to reduce vehicular emissions, which leaders like Ahmad Rafay Alam assert as necessary yet difficult to accomplish.
The current crisis serves as not only a call to action for provincial officials and the federal government but also as a broader message to international partners to step forward and help tackle the systemic issues underpinning pollution across the region. The urgent health crisis currently playing out is not just Punjab’s problem but one which resonates across borders, calling for combined efforts to breathe easy once again.
Punjab's smog crisis paints a picture of environmental neglect and public health mishaps deeply affecting the lives of millions. Those affected aren’t just numbers; they are lives interrupted by toxic air, streams of hardship, and the yearning for quick government intervention to ease their suffering. With both local and global eyes on the region, actions taken—or not—could define its environmental future.
