LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — The air smells burnt in Lahore, a city in Pakistan’s east that used to be famous for its gardens but has become infamous for its terrible air quality.

In recent months, a harmful haze has caused illness for tens of thousands of individuals. As a result, flights have been cancelled. In December, the use of artificial rain was attempted as a new method to combat the smog, but unfortunately, it has not been effective.

Lahore is located within an airshed, a region where emissions from factories, transportation, and other human actions are confined due to the local weather and terrain, making it difficult for them to dissipate. These airsheds also play a role in cross-border pollution. During specific wind patterns, up to 30% of the pollution in New Delhi, India, can originate from Punjab province in Pakistan, where Lahore serves as the capital. South Asia has six major airsheds, which house several of the most polluted cities in the world.

Experts are calling for greater cross-border cooperation among countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and India to address air pollution together rather than working in silos on a city-by-city basis. But it’s a tall order when political relations in the region are fraught.

Relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated, leading to strained interactions filled with hostility and mistrust. The two countries have engaged in three wars and have heavily invested in military strength and nuclear capabilities. Movement across the border for non-essential purposes, such as travel, education, and employment, is limited due to strict travel regulations and unfriendly government agencies. However, there are some exemptions made for religious pilgrimages.

According to Abid Suleri, a Pakistani analyst from the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, the technical and scientific community acknowledges that air pollution does not require a visa to cross borders. Suleri stated that the culprits and issues are identical on both sides of the India-Pakistan border, therefore it is illogical for one province to implement measures if the neighboring province across the border does not do the same.

According to Suleri, regional and international meetings provide a chance for open conversations about air pollution, even if governments are not collaborating directly or publicly. The focus should be on addressing air pollution as a continuous issue rather than a seasonal problem during colder weather.

He stated that there is a need for a regional plan in airshed management. However, it is worth noting that 2024 marks an election year in both India and Pakistan, and the level of cooperation between their governments has not yet reached that point.

In a matter of weeks, Pakistan will hold its national parliamentary elections. Currently, the only candidate who has promised significant funding for climate adaptability is Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, a former foreign minister and leader of a political party. This commitment comes after devastating floods that resulted in the deaths of over 1,700 individuals.

According to Bhargav Krishna, a member of the Sustainable Futures Collaborative think-tank in New Delhi, air pollution is not a major concern for voters in India. However, the consequences of climate change may influence their voting decisions.

According to Krishna, promises related to air pollution are often made during regional elections. He mentioned that this was the case for every party’s election manifesto during the 2020 New Delhi elections.

As per the World Bank, a policy for managing regional air quality would require countries to come to a mutual agreement on implementing shared targets and measures. They would also need to convene regularly to exchange their respective experiences and potentially establish uniform air quality standards.

According to the international organization, approximately 93% of the Pakistani population is subjected to dangerous levels of pollution. In India, this number rises to 96%. This means that over 1.5 billion individuals in these two countries are exposed to significant levels of air pollution. The organization also estimates that in Pakistan’s Punjab region, about 220,000 deaths each year can be linked to health issues caused by poor air quality.

Gray haze hangs pall-like over Punjab’s homes, mosques, schools, streets and farmland. There are 6.7 million vehicles on Lahore’s roads every day. Construction, emissions and waste are rife. There is scant visibility at major intersections after dark. Smog shrouds landmarks like the Mughal-era Badshahi Mosque.

Since October of last year, Daraz, an online shopping platform, has seen a surge in inquiries for air purifiers and face masks, particularly in the Punjab region.

Dr. Khawar Abbas Chaudhry, a pulmonologist, expresses his sadness over the decline of Lahore, a city that he remembers as “once stunning.” The hospital he is employed at is affiliated with the Evercare Group, supported by Bill Gates, which operates hospitals in various locations such as India, Bangladesh, and East Africa.

According to Chaudhry, the number of patients suffering from respiratory illnesses has doubled this winter due to air pollution.

Conversations on topics such as air pollution, including discussions on the health effects of smog, take place on forums within Evercare. However, these exchanges are limited to one organization.

According to Chaudhry, it is important for countries, governments, and departments to collaborate and have regular meetings. Ultimately, individuals must also take action in order to put pressure on influential figures on both sides of the border.

For more than ten years, Pratima Singh, a senior research scientist at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy in Bengaluru, has studied air pollution in India.

She suggested that South Asian nations could follow the example of the European Union in working together to address pollution issues, establishing new policies, and exchanging data and successful strategies.

Following the implementation of India’s National Clean Air Programme in 2019, it became evident that it was imperative for cities to have a comprehensive understanding of the air quality in their surrounding regions. This led to the realization that airshed management is a crucial factor in effectively addressing the issue.

Syed Naseem Ur Rehman Shah, the director of the Environment Protection Department in Punjab, expressed satisfaction with the progress made in combatting air pollution. The department has successfully regulated emissions from factories and brick kilns, and plans to offer subsidized machinery to farmers in order to put an end to the issue of crop stubble burning. Additionally, there is a push towards introducing electric tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and buses on the roads.

Shah stated that although there has been improvement, it will still require some time.

He traveled to India to address the issue of climate change and mentioned that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation allows for discussions on air pollution between countries. However, he does recognize that there is no official cooperation at a ministerial level with India.

The Smog Cell, a screen located in a monitoring room, displayed that Pakistan’s Air Quality Index was higher than China’s on that particular day. According to Shah, the province only surpasses the recommended levels for PM2.5, which is a type of fine particulate matter that can be inhaled. However, he mentioned that all other aspects of the air quality are within acceptable limits.

His assessment is of little consolation to Pakistani poet and former ambassador Ata ul Haq Qasmi, who is in Evercare for respiratory issues exacerbated by air pollution. “If my friends aren’t in hospital, they should be,” he said. “You only have to step outside for it (the smog) to grab you.”

___

Sibi Arasu, a writer for the Associated Press, contributed to this report from Bengaluru, India.

___

The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Source: wral.com