SEASONAL smog has become the new normal in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtun-khwa (KP). Every day, grey clouds of smog surround the atmosphere for hours, hampering daily activities of the people. While smog has affected many cities around the world, Lahore’s ranking as the most polluted city is a matter of grave concern.

Recently, Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) hovered around 400 when 50 is considered normal. Poor air quality causes several respiratory problems, such as asthma, bronchitis, breathing difficulty and even lung cancer. Besides, it reduces life expectancy, and in Lahore’s case, it has declined by four years.

While we keep playing our beloved blame-game, the fact is that all of us — ­from industrialists to transporters, and from the government to the man on the street — are responsible for the prevailing state of affairs.

The government must tackle the menace of smog effectively. It has spent a lot money on cloud seeding, which only provided temporary relief. It is time to devise long- term strategies, and put them into action to control smog, improve the air quality, and restore the lost beauty of Lahore.

Nabi Bakhsh Sarparah
Mastung

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2024