ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is losing almost $22 billion every year—around 6.5% of its GDP—because of severe air pollution, Senator Sherry Rehman told the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change on Thursday.
Rehman said pollution is now causing far more damage than earlier believed. New data shows 256,000 people die annually due to pollution, double the previously recorded figure.
She explained that while fog is a natural winter occurrence, smog is a dangerous mix of chemicals produced by vehicles, industries, and brick kilns.
According to her, toxic air has become more deadly than terrorism in Pakistan.
Lahore Among World’s Most Polluted Cities
Rehman expressed concern that Lahore repeatedly ranks as the most polluted city in the world. She said harmful emissions continue to rise because of weak enforcement and unchecked industrial activity.
EPA Criticized for Missing Data
During the meeting, she rejected the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) presentation, saying the data was incomplete and unverified.
“You had three months, yet you came unprepared,” she told the officials.
11 Million Young Children at Risk
Rehman shared that in Punjab alone, 11 million children under the age of five are directly affected by smog. Children breathe faster than adults, which means they inhale more polluted air and face a higher risk of lung and respiratory diseases.
Life Expectancy Falling
Last year, Pakistan was ranked the third most polluted country globally. Rehman said the ongoing smog crisis is cutting the average Pakistani’s life expectancy by 3.7 to 4.6 years, calling the situation “apocalyptic.”
Brick Kilns to Shift to Cleaner Technology
She noted that the government decided not to shut down brick kilns, as they are run by low-income workers. Instead, they aim to upgrade them with zigzag technology, which reduces harmful emissions.
Call for Stronger Monitoring
Rehman urged the government to work with the private sector to improve air quality monitoring and take urgent steps to address the pollution crisis.
