Smog and air pollution to be faced in 2024 too, experts

Lahore: Punjab continues to face the problems of environmental pollution and smog in the year 2023, while according to experts, it will continue to face problems in the new year due to non-implementation of concrete measures related to smog and environmental policy.

The average life expectancy of citizens living in Punjab can be reduced by at least seven years. Smog and air pollution are the second biggest threat to citizens’ health, which will continue into the new year.

Smog started showing its effects in Punjab at the beginning of winter and by the end of the year, Air Quality Index crossed the 400 mark in various cities including Lahore. Lahore has been number one in the list of most polluted cities of the world several times. Declaring smog as a disaster by the Punjab government, health emergency was imposed in various districts of the province, while holidays were announced in schools in the districts of Lahore, Shakhpura, Nankana, Kasur, Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Sialkot and Narowal.

Section 144 is in force in Lahore Division under which actions are being taken against the people who cause air pollution by the district administration and police. Cases were registered and fines were imposed against those who burned crop residue, used smoke-emitting vehicles, used substandard fuel in factories and factories. Apart from this, brick kilns were closed while artificial rain was also rained in Lahore, but despite all these measures, the rate of smog and air pollution could not be reduced.

Meanwhile, caretaker chief minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, has decided to conduct a study with international consultants to bring out the real reasons for the increase in smog. Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that it is a pity that we do not have an authentic research on the causes of increasing smog, we cannot control smog through hearsay and speculation. Comprehensive measures to combat smog can only be taken with authentic data to protect public health.

Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi ordered a crackdown against the sellers of substandard petrol and diesel and said that the administration should take action against those selling substandard petrol and diesel. Instead of sprinkling water on the roads, the mud should be cleaned completely from the roads.

Environmental lawyer and expert Rafi Alam says that spraying water on the roads or closing schools three days a week will solve the smog problem? The government needs to realize that solving environmental problems requires planning and long-term measures that are truly effective. To solve any problem we need accurate data which we don’t have. He said that in 2023 the current caretaker government had approved the Clean Air Policy but it has not been implemented till date.

Dawar Butt, an expert on public policy and environment, believes that the Punjab government and related departments are aware of the harm and seriousness of smog and environmental pollution, while the Air Quality Policy 2023 also includes pollution, causes of smog, long-term and short-term measures to eliminate it. Measures have been mentioned but unfortunately these policies are not being implemented.

He said that there is talk of bringing electric buses from 2018 which could not come till date, now 10 thousand electric motorcycles will be ordered but they are very insufficient. Chung Chi rickshaws have been stopped in various cities including Lahore, but what will be the alternative? No one knows whether they should be given electric rickshaws.

Davarbit said that the project to install air quality monitoring equipment started in 2018, which has not been completed till date, while this project in collaboration with the World Bank will end in 2025. He believes that the situation has not improved even in 2024. will

Consultant Physician and Pulmonologist Services Hospital, Lahore, Dr. Imdad Ali Farooqui, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that cold, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath and irritation in the eyes are the visible symptoms that affect people of all ages due to smog. While smog also causes damage to human health that is not immediately visible, lung damage and cancer are notable.

According to Dr. Farooqui, children and the elderly are the most affected by smog, so they should stay indoors when the smog increases. Referring to the Air Quality Life Index 2023 report, he said that air pollution can reduce the average life expectancy in Pakistan by about 4 years while in the most polluted areas of the country like Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur and Peshawar, it can be reduced by seven years.

Experts say that tackling air pollution in Pakistan is a complex and long-term challenge, but decisive steps must be taken to protect public health and the environment. Recommendations compiled by the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad for reducing smog and air pollution state that steps must be taken to provide real-time data on smog and air pollution. Thus, the use of polluting fuels such as coal and substandard diesel must be stopped and alternative sources of energy must be used. Use of electric and hybrid vehicles should be encouraged instead of conventional diesel and petrol vehicles. Public transport should be improved. Carpooling and ride sharing should be promoted to reduce the number of vehicles on the roads.

The recommendations also said to create public awareness about smog and air pollution, use of air purifiers, masks while avoiding unnecessary travel during the smog season. Control industrial pollution, invest in cleaner production technologies. Standards set for industries, vehicles and construction sector should be updated. Waste disposal methods should be improved. Recycling and waste to energy projects should be promoted. Green areas and urban forestry should be increased, plantations should be planted on roofs of houses, offices and buildings, green building ideas should be promoted. Apart from this, special treatment of diseases caused by smog and pollution and medical research on its effects should be invested in this sector.