Lahore and Delhi Choked by Smog: A Regional Crisis Worsens
As smog envelops Lahore, residents are grappling with severe health and environmental consequences. “It’s become a physical ordeal just to go outdoors,” says Jawaria, a 28-year-old student. Air quality levels in Lahore have plummeted to alarming depths, recording pollution levels 15 times higher than safe thresholds. Last week, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) skyrocketed to over 700, marking it as one of the most polluted cities globally. For comparison, an AQI under 50 is considered “healthy.”
Delhi, too, faces a similar plight. With over 25 million residents, the city is smothered in toxic smog that heralds the annual “pollution season.” While local governments in both cities have introduced anti-pollution measures, the pollution has arrived earlier and with greater intensity than in previous years. “This year, the skies were already clouded in October, and the smog feels more toxic than ever,” Jawaria remarked, reflecting the shared environmental catastrophe facing both nations.
Root Causes of the Crisis
A major contributor to the smog is the widespread practice of stubble burning by farmers in both India and Pakistan. Despite being illegal, weak enforcement and a lack of affordable alternatives perpetuate the practice. Khalid Khokhar, president of Pakistan’s farmers’ association, acknowledged the appeal of burning as a cheap and easy solution, while farmers argue that the alternatives offered by governments are either unavailable or impractical.
The Punjab government in Pakistan claims to have implemented measures to address stubble burning, but many farmers have seen little change. Similarly, Indian authorities have struggled to curb the practice despite penalties and incentives. Without robust enforcement or scalable alternatives, the problem remains deeply entrenched.
Calls for Regional Cooperation
Recognizing the cross-border nature of the crisis, Maryam Nawaz, Chief Minister of Punjab, has proposed “smog diplomacy” between India and Pakistan. Her initiative emphasizes collaboration to combat air pollution, as the crisis respects no borders. India has yet to respond formally to the proposal, but the need for joint action is becoming increasingly urgent.
The Human Toll
The health impacts are devastating. According to the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, pollution is the largest health threat in India, with Delhi residents losing an average of 8.5 years of life expectancy due to air pollution. In Lahore, historian Ammar Ali Jan calls clean air a “luxury only the wealthy can afford,” as air purifiers remain inaccessible to much of the population. He warns that the city is becoming “unliveable” due to unchecked industrialization and ecological neglect.
In Delhi, hospitals are overwhelmed with patients suffering from pollution-related illnesses, particularly children and the elderly. Outdoor workers, like Shakeel Khan, bear the brunt of the crisis. “In 2019, I lost my father to a lung disease,” Shakeel shares, underscoring the lethal toll of environmental negligence.
A Dire Need for Action
Both Lahore and Delhi are emblematic of a broader crisis that demands immediate and coordinated action. From stricter enforcement of stubble burning bans to international cooperation on emissions control, governments must prioritize long-term solutions. Without intervention, the smog will continue to threaten millions, exacerbating health disparities and diminishing the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
