LAHORE is battling a severe smog crisis, one that refuses to let up and one that is keeping it at the top of the world’s most polluted cities. Earlier this week, the city was shrouded in fog so noxious, the Air Quality Index in two areas was five times more than safe levels. These statistics are a grim indicator of the perilous air the city’s residents are forced to breathe. Vulnerable children and adults are besieged by a host of health issues — persistent cough, breathing difficulties, eye irritation and headaches — that are now part of daily life in Lahore. The roots of this crisis stem from vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, crop burning, and a lack of effective waste management. This toxic cocktail is choking Lahore and is a testament to the government’s ineptitude to address this protracted health emergency. The WHO’s guidelines for PM2.5 is an annual average of 10. Lahore’s average, however, stands at a staggering 269, nearly 27 times higher than recommended levels. This is not just an environmental crisis; it is a humanitarian disaster.

The Punjab HEC’s recommendation to adopt the Regional Clean Air Incentives Market (RECLAIM) programme, similar to what the US implemented, is a commendable one. This programme has shown effectiveness in reducing emissions through a cap-and-trade system, providing a framework that could be tailored to Lahore’s unique challenges. However, adopting RECLAIM alone is not the panacea. The root causes of air pollution in Lahore need addressing. This includes stringent regulations on industrial emissions, a shift towards sustainable farm practices, modernising all the brick kilns — down to the last one — and promoting public transportation to reduce vehicular emissions. Moreover, raising public awareness about the health impacts of air pollution and ways to reduce personal exposure is crucial. The time for platitudes and half-measures — like the chief minister’s supervision of streets being washed — is over. The government must act decisively and immediately. The health of Lahore’s citizens cannot be held hostage to bureaucratic inertia and political indifference. The implementation of RECLAIM, along with a comprehensive environmental strategy, is not just a recommendation; it is a necessity. The smog that continues to blanket Lahore is a stark reminder of the cost of inaction. The government must wake up to the reality and take bold steps to ensure clean air for all.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2023