Lahore, Pakistan, is grappling with an unprecedented smog crisis, with the air quality index reaching a record high over the weekend. This has led to a surge in respiratory illnesses, primarily affecting children and the elderly, with tens of thousands falling sick in recent weeks. Pakistan has squarely blamed India for the worsening air pollution, pointing fingers at the prevailing wind direction that carries air from India into Pakistan.
The Pakistani government has taken a strong stance, highlighting India’s perceived inaction in addressing this transboundary environmental issue. “The wind direction brings air from India into Pakistan, yet India does not seem to be taking this problem as seriously as it should,” stated Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari. She further revealed that Lahore’s smog levels are currently comparable to Delhi, with PM 2.5 concentrations approaching a hazardous level of 450.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has announced the province’s intention to formally raise the issue of cross-border pollution with India through the Pakistan Foreign Office. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has also called for climate diplomacy with India, indicating her plan to write to the Chief Minister of the Indian side of Punjab to collaboratively address the smog problem.
The severity of the smog situation has prompted the Pakistani government to implement a series of measures, including the closure of primary schools for a week and a mandatory face mask policy. Schools for special needs children have been closed for three months, and a ‘green lockdown’ has been enforced, requiring 50% of employees to work from home. Further restrictions include a ban on barbecuing without filters, limited use of motorized rickshaws, a 10 p.m. closure for wedding halls, and a potential use of artificial rain to combat pollution.
These measures are part of a larger effort to safeguard the health of children and the general population in Lahore, a city of 14 million. The escalating smog crisis underscores the urgent need for international cooperation and proactive measures to address transboundary air pollution, particularly in densely populated regions.
