On November 6, 2024, according to an announcement from IQAir, a Switzerland-based company engaged in air quality-related business, Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city, ranks first in the air pollution rankings of the world’s major cities. In Lahore, air pollution has become severe, and observed PM2.5 levels exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline by 40 times.

Due to such pollution, elementary schools in Lahore were closed for a week, and children were required to stay at home. The government is encouraging mask-wearing and urging people to keep doors and windows closed and avoid nonessential outings. Furthermore, restrictions have been imposed on construction work and barbecue restaurants, having an impact on people’s economic activities.

What, exactly, has polluted Pakistan to this extent? The main causes include exhaust from thermal power generation and the many diesel vehicles common in Lahore, as well as smoke from open burning conducted in early winter. In winter, the atmosphere tends to be stable and pollutants are more likely to stagnate. Therefore, at this time of year, Lahore’s air pollution worsens further. Air pollution is not a problem that can be solved by a single country. Although Pakistan and India are at odds, there are growing voices calling for “environmental diplomacy” to confront environmental issues.

Learn more about Pakistan’s environmental issues → “Pakistan’s Climate Crisis: Floods, Finances, and the Future”

Learn more about global air pollution → “Air Pollution: The World’s Leading Cause of Death?”

Entrance to a highway in Lahore (Photo: Osman198 / Wikimedia Commons [CC BY-SA 4.0])