IT is that time of year again. Cities in Pakistan, in particular Lahore, are once more suffocating under the blanket of heavy smog, making it painfully evident that we must move past reactive measures and temporary fixes.

With Lahore hitting an Air Quality Index of 394 — nearly four times above healthy levels — and again being ranked the world’s most polluted city, air pollution in Pakistan has become a public health crisis begging urgent intervention. Similar conditions prevail across the border in India, where the onset of winter traps pollutants in the air, pushing Delhi into the ‘very poor’ AQI category. The sources of this persistent problem are well-documented: vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and most critically, the widespread burning of crop residue.

Both India and Pakistan have struggled to address the latter, despite the well-established link between stubble burning and deteriorating air quality. In both countries, farmers continue this practice due to expediency and the lack of viable alternatives for clearing fields. Recent reports indicate that farmers in both Haryana, India, and Punjab, Pakistan, are being arrested and fined for burning crop stubble, yet these punitive measures barely scratch the surface of a much larger problem.

In Pakistan, efforts to mitigate smog have intensified, with the government issuing new school timings and banning fireworks to reduce pollutants. India has similarly implemented emergency actions such as water sprinkling on roads and increasing public transport. However, these are akin to putting band-aids on gaping wounds. The long-term strategies needed to combat this environmental crisis remain elusive.

The core issue lies in the inadequacy of agricultural policies that leave farmers with little choice but to resort to environmentally harmful practices. While Pakistan has introduced ‘Anti-Smog Squads’ to monitor and educate farmers about the dangers of stubble burning, these initiatives are only beginning to take root and are not yet widespread. In India, attempts to promote alternatives, such as subsidising machinery for residue management, have faced significant barriers, including high costs and inadequate outreach.

What is missing from both countries’ approaches is a strategy that not only penalises harmful practices but also provides long-term solutions. While climate diplomacy between India and Pakistan has been proposed, real collaboration on this issue remains sparse. Both nations could benefit from joint initiatives focused on sharing technological advancements, including affordable super-seeders, and coordinating to monitor and control air quality.

Moreover, there is a need to realise that smog is not caused by agriculture alone. Both must invest in renewable energy and modernise industrial processes. Encouraging the use of electric vehicles and enhancing public transport systems are also essential steps that both countries must accelerate. Without a paradigm shift in how air pollution is addressed both Pakistan and India will continue to choke every winter.

Published in Dawn, October 25th, 2024