KARACHI:
Pakistan ranks among some of the most polluted countries in the world. Lahore and Karachi have constantly recorded poor air quality levels. Some of the reasons for the deteriorating air quality include industrial and vehicular emissions, agriculture-related smoke and burning of crops, brick kiln emissions, and waste burning.
Health problems such as coughing, headache, dizziness, and respiratory problems have risen among citizens. Rising air pollution has resulted in intense smog in cities during the winter season and prevents sunlight from reaching the earth. This has led to a halt in daily activities to avoid accidents. A lack of sunlight also affects crops and forests and will eventually threaten the country’s food supply as sunlight is a major component of photosynthesis. The government needs to act immediately to curb this aggravating challenge by including industry owners, the public, and other stakeholders in the process. Fossil fuels must be replaced with alternative solar, wind, and geothermal energies to reduce energy consumption.
Load-free gasoline should be introduced, and sulphur must be phased out from diesel. Water monitoring and mobile laboratories should be created in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, etc. Considering that transport accounts for 43% of emissions, people must be encouraged to use public transport and walk to places. People should be discouraged from burning waste and fuelwood and informed of more sustainable practices such as recycling items, using air purifiers, etc.
Madiha Zahid
Islamabad
Published in The Express Tribune, June 3rd, 2023.
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