Pakistan has once again proven that health crisis continues to go sharply down the hill as the country ranks second in the worst air quality. Air pollution in Pakistan is becoming one of the major reasons for people’s declining health and explicitly calls for urgent action.

The Air Quality Life Index perceives that air pollution in Pakistan contracts average life expectancy by 3.9 years. On the other hand, it is estimated by Fair Finance Pakistan, an organisation working on the impact of climate change, that air pollution is Pakistan is responsible for at least 128,000 deaths annually. The number is and will continue to spike, especially while national disaster management suffers and climate change is taking a heavy toll on the country.

Human activities that chiefly account for deteriorating air quality include burning fossil fuels for transportation, heating fuel, waste incineration, power generation and other industrial activities. These activities have catastrophic effects not only on air pollution, but also on the surrounding wildlife and water areas, with large amounts of industrial waste making its way into water and damaging the ecosystem. Moreover, crop burning and a lack of a viable public transport system have also contributed to worsening air pollution, calling for urgent need of renewable and sustainable sources of energy. The summative result is leaving an irreversible impact on the economy as the country struggles to grapple with health crisis and the resultant loss of human resources.

Pakistan is obligated to protect its citizens’ right to health and life under international human rights law. In terms of air pollution, it requires monitoring air quality and putting in place appropriate measures to protect people during high pollution levels. Placing climate change on top of the priority list, the government is waited on to introduce procedures to limit air pollution, administer rigorous air quality standards and develop more green spaces for urban communities.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2024.

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