Air pollution in Pakistan has become a public health emergency that requires immediate action, as evidenced by Lahore’s Air Quality Index of 394, which is almost four times higher than healthy levels and once again ranks as the most polluted city in the world. Similar circumstances exist in India on the other side of the border, where winter traps air pollutants, placing Delhi in the “very poor” AQI category. Vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and—above all—the extensive burning of crop residue are the well-established causes of this enduring issue.
Even though there is a proven connection between stubble burning and declining air quality, both India and Pakistan have had difficulty addressing the latter. Due to convenience and the dearth of practical options for field clearance, farmers in both nations continue to use this method.According to recent reports, farmers in Punjab, Pakistan, and Haryana, India, are facing fines and arrests for burning crop residue, yet these harsh penalties only scrape the surface of a much bigger issue.
The government of Pakistan has increased its attempts to minimize smog by imposing new school schedules and outlawing pyrotechnics. Similar emergency measures, such as sprinkling water on highways and expanding public transportation, have been taken in India. But these are like applying bandages to open sores. Long-term solutions to this environmental catastrophe are still elusive.
