Lahore once known as the city of gardens and open skies is struggling under a thick layer of smog that has turned into a hazardous new normal. Every year as winter draws near, the poisonous haze reappears with more intensity, posing a concerning question: how can a society advance when the air itself has become a silent threat? Air quality monitors have shown PM2.5 concentrations well above safe limits, and pollution
An alarming increase in smog-related illnesses has been reported by hospitals in Lahore, Multan, and the surrounding districts. Almost two million people sought medical attention in a single month for chest infections, allergies, respiratory issues, and worsening heart conditions. Children gasping for air, elderly patients battling long-term illnesses, and young adults with chronic coughs and exhaustion continue to overcrowd emergency rooms. Prolonged exposure to contaminated air can cause irreversible lung damage, hinder children’s cognitive development, and increase the risk of long-term cardiovascular problems, according to medical professionals.
Also Read: Chief Public Health Laboratories Division of the National Institutes of Health
Every aspect of everyday life has been impacted by the crisis. Punjabi schools have been forced to close on several occasions, which has caused disruptions to classes and increased learning gaps for students who are already recuperating from years of academic delays following the pandemic. The most vulnerable are laborers, vendors, and outdoor workers who frequently put in long shifts in contaminated air to make a living. Industries face operational constraints, small businesses experience a decline in foot traffic, and family healthcare costs keep rising. What should have been typical winter days now pass beneath a gloomy, overcast sky that lowers morale and productivity.
According to experts, a number of factors, including uncontrolled vehicle emissions, antiquated brick kilns that continue to operate without cleaner technology, obstinate waste burning, crop residue fires, and rapid urbanization with little environmental planning, are to blame for the worsening smog. Pollutants have been trapped near the ground by weather patterns, forming a layer of toxins that won’t go away. Although the Punjab government has recognized the seriousness of the situation and implemented policies like mask requirements, temporary shutdowns, and fines for polluters, these actions frequently seem reactive rather than part of a long-term plan.
Environmentalists emphasize that emergency closures are not sufficient for sustainable solutions. For significant change, industries must switch to eco-friendly systems, stringent emission regulations must be implemented, public transportation must be expanded, and citizens must be educated about responsible behavior. The short-term relief measures will continue to fail in the absence of systematic reforms and consistent implementation.
More than just an environmental problem, the smog crisis poses a risk to public health, education, and economic stability. The increasing effects of toxic air on society are reflected in every missed school day, every hospital visit, and every hour of decreased productivity. Pakistan runs the risk of producing a generation whose potential and well-being have been harmed by a pollutant from which they are unable to escape if prompt action is not taken.
Clean air is a basic need, not a luxury. With every day that goes by, the need for immediate, coordinated, and long-term action becomes more apparent as Lahore and the rest of Punjab struggle to breathe. Without it, the future will remain obscured by the haze and the air will keep getting thicker.
