On November 7, as the residents of Punjab battled the suffocating effects of a severe air pollution crisis, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz traveled to Europe to seek medical treatment for a throat infection. While the Chief Minister sought immediate relief abroad, millions of ordinary Punjabis found themselves unable to escape the toxic air, which has once again placed Lahore at the top of the world’s most polluted cities. With air quality index (AQI) levels reaching a shocking 1900, Lahore’s air is perilously toxic, far exceeding safe limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO). On November 8, Multan, another major city in southern Punjab, recorded an AQI reading of 2000, underscoring the widespread nature of the crisis.
This deadly pollution, largely driven by industrial activity, transportation emissions, and the burning of crops, has become a yearly ritual in the region. A staggering peak in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels, reported to reach 601 micrograms per cubic meter, is over 40 times higher than the safe limit defined by the WHO. While Punjab’s government has responded by closing schools, shifting to online classes, and imposing temporary lockdowns, these measures only scratch the surface of the problem. They fail to address the underlying causes of pollution or provide sustainable solutions.
The root causes of the pollution crisis are manifold. The continued reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal for electricity generation, contributes significantly to deteriorating air quality. Despite the environmental toll, the government has allowed the expansion of coal power in Pakistan, including the inauguration of two new coal-fired power plants in Sindh last year and plans for up to five more in the near future. While the expansion of electricity access in Pakistan is laudable — with the population’s access to electricity rising from 75% in 2002 to 95% in 2022 — this progress comes at a steep environmental and public health cost. Coal plants not only release harmful air pollutants but also emit more than 20% of global greenhouse gases, making them a significant contributor to the climate crisis.
Air pollution, particularly from coal, is the leading environmental health threat worldwide, as acknowledged by the WHO, and is responsible for a staggering number of premature deaths. In Pakistan, exposure to toxic air has been linked to an increased risk of mortality, with studies showing that the toll from coal plants alone doubles the risks associated with other sources of pollution. The air pollution crisis in Pakistan is not only a matter of air quality but also a deepening public health emergency. According to estimates from the WHO, over 140,000 people in Pakistan died prematurely due to air pollution in 2019 alone.
Lahore, with its growing urban sprawl and deteriorating environmental conditions, is the worst affected, where air pollution is shortening life expectancy by as much as seven years. The Air Quality Life Index also highlights that air pollution in Pakistan, on average, reduces life expectancy by 3.9 years. The economic and social implications are immense, with the most vulnerable — children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions — bearing the brunt of the pollution. While some affluent individuals may seek medical treatment or relocate abroad, the majority of Pakistanis lack the resources to mitigate the health risks they face daily.
The government’s failure to address the root causes of this pollution crisis constitutes a breach of its obligations under international human rights law, which mandates the protection of citizens’ rights to life, health, and a clean environment. The country’s leaders have a moral and legal responsibility to phase out fossil fuels, halt the expansion of coal-fired power plants, and implement comprehensive measures to protect the most vulnerable populations from toxic air. This includes enforcing strict air quality standards, increasing green spaces, and investing in public transportation to reduce vehicular emissions.
In October, the Pakistani government introduced a constitutional amendment recognizing the right to a clean and healthy environment, a promising step forward. However, this right will remain hollow unless it is backed by concrete actions to combat pollution and reduce the reliance on harmful fossil fuels. Until the government tackles the root causes of air pollution, particularly the expansion of coal energy, the right to breathe clean air will remain out of reach for millions of Pakistanis.
