WWF-Pakistan called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on November 14, to declare a “national emergency” to combat the smog crisis as toxic smog continued to blanket several cities in Punjab, with Lahore consistently ranking among the world’s most polluted cities.
In a letter addressed to the PM, also chairperson of the Pakistan Climate Change Council, WWF-Pakistan warned that hazardous air quality is jeopardizing public health, the environment, and the economy.
“It is now clear that toxic smog has reduced air quality to hazardous levels, posing a threat to public health, the economy, and the environment. Inaction on this issue will exacerbate the current crisis, and lead to further health complications, economic losses and environmental degradation,” the letter stated.
WWF suggest measures to curb pollution
WWF-Pakistan proposed immediate steps, including removing high-emission vehicles, halting construction, closing polluting industries, and enforcing “Green Lockdown” measures in Lahore and other heavily polluted cities. It also recommended the temporary closure of brick kilns during peak smog season.
Highlighting its monitoring efforts, WWF-Pakistan noted that its air quality devices, in collaboration with the IQAir Foundation, cover 15 cities and regularly report alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. In Punjab, AQI readings have surpassed 1,000, with particulate matter exceeding World Health Organization guidelines by 30-40 times.
WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan urged bold government actions, stating, “The worsening air quality and persistent smog are critical issues for public health, the environment, and the economy.”
While acknowledging the government’s efforts, Khan stressed the need for stricter implementation of anti-smog measures.
“In the long run, there is a need to promote electric vehicles, enhance sustainable development models, segregate industrial zones, expand the mass transit network and switch to renewable energy sources,” he added.
For long-term solutions, WWF-Pakistan advocated for transitioning to Euro V or Euro VI fuel standards, promoting electric vehicles (particularly two- and three-wheelers), expanding public transport networks, and scaling green financing. The organization also urged subsidizing alternatives to crop residue burning, which contributes to air pollution.
WWF-Pakistan emphasized the widespread use of low-cost sensors to identify pollution hotspots and guide effective smog-control measures,
Low-cost air quality sensors, capable of measuring pollutants such as PM1.0, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and O3, are instrumental in identifying pollution hotspots nationwide.
“The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts the health of millions of Pakistanis”, the letter concluded.