Lahore Suffers Under Unprecedented Smog Crisis Amidst Worsening Air Quality

Lahore is grappling with an extreme smog crisis, resulting in hazardous air quality that has led to school closures and increased hospital admissions for respiratory issues. Experts warn that pollution levels may worsen as winter approaches, necessitating urgent cross-border cooperation to combat the sources of smog, including vehicular emissions and agricultural burning.

A dense shroud of smog has settled over Lahore, impacting the daily lives of its 13 million residents. The air quality has plummeted, with the index surpassing 1,000 on multiple occasions this month. This signifies hazardous levels of pollution, which initially goes unnoticed but soon becomes unbearable. The acrid air irritates throats and lungs, especially affecting vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with preexisting health issues.

Pakistani authorities are scrambling to react to this escalating environmental crisis, which has taken a significant toll even for a city accustomed to seasonal smog. In an effort to mitigate the health risks, schools have closed, companies have instructed workers to remain at home, and citizens are being urged to stay indoors. This "green lockdown" includes prohibiting motorbike rickshaws and heavy vehicles from entering heavily affected areas.

By the end of the week, Lahore High Court recommended market closures by 20:00 each night and shutting down parks and zoos until mid-November. Experts from NASA have identified that pollution levels typically peak around late November and December, raising concerns that the worst is yet to come.

Satellite imagery highlights the smog’s scope and pinpoints its origins, which include numerous agricultural fires along the Indo-Pakistan border. These fires, essential for clearing fields after harvest, account for a significant portion of Lahore's pollution, with Pakistani officials suggesting that cross-border activity from Indian farmers is responsible for about 30% of the smog. Despite penalties imposed on stubble burning in India, Lahore’s air pollution is also heavily influenced by local emissions from vehicles, particularly the city's five million motorbikes, along with the exhaust emissions from millions of other vehicles.

The situation is exacerbated by industrial emissions from factories located at the city’s edges, producing additional pollutants that contribute to the thick haze. In the colder months, a combination of winter air from Tibet traps these pollutants, resulting in dire air quality.

Health officials report rising incidents of respiratory illnesses, with associated hospital admissions already reaching around 900 this week alone. Local pulmonologists express urgent concern over the increase in patients suffering from asthma-related symptoms and other breathing difficulties.

While current government action has included temporary closures and public announcements, concerned citizens highlight that such measures are insufficient. Residents like Sadia Kashif express frustration over the lack of long-term solutions, voicing the need for systemic changes rather than reactive fixes.

Environmental advocates indicate that the pollution crisis extends beyond typical seasonal issues, suggesting that both India and Pakistan need to collaborate on more effective, comprehensive strategies to tackle air quality degradation. Without significant policy reforms and cooperative actions from both sides, the battle for clean air remains an unsolved ordeal for Lahore.