Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, is in the grip of air pollution
KARACHI: Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi, is in the grip of air pollution, which continues to grow more hazardous by the day due to the lack of environmentally-friendly policies by the government. Air pollution is rising as there is no proper system of checks and balances. The growing pollution is causing diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung and skin ailments, while also giving birth to other issues in the city. The source of air pollution is mainly the release of smoke, chemicals, unhygienic particles, etc. Fume-emitting vehicles are one of the biggest culprits. It is so because that the government is very slack in keeping a check on such vehicles. Even the worst maintained vehicles are issued fitness certificates. These are not only adding to environmental pollution but they are also causing accidents and noise pollution. Since there is an acute shortage of public transport in cities, especially in Karachi, people are going in for motorcycles. According to a rough estimate, more than five thousand motorcycles come out on the roads in the city daily. This is causing accidents and also adding to noise pollution. The government seems to have left the common people to fend for themselves. Governmental lethargy leaves us shocked.
I appeal to the chief minister of Sindh to pay attention to the afore-mentioned problems. Lashing out at the opposition and issuing long statements are certainly not going to solve our pressing problems. These, at best, serve their own purpose. This is downright selfish and self-complacent. This laidback attitude would also harm the politicians in the long run.
Muhammad Ali Siddiqui
Published in The Express Tribune, April 16th, 2019.
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