An air quality monitor deemed Lahore, Pakistan's capital city, to be the most polluted city in the world, and inhabitants are pleading with the government to take action.

Heavy smog conditions in Lahore
(Photo : Getty Images)

Residents in Lahore Calls For Government Intervention

According to IQAir, a Swiss technology firm that manages the AirVisual monitoring platform, Lahore had an air quality index of 348, significantly over the dangerous lavel of 300.

"Children are experiencing breathing diseases... for God's sake, find a solution," labourer Muhammad Saeed said to AFP.

Low-grade diesel exhaust, seasonal crop smoke, and cooler winter temperatures combine to create stagnant haze in Pakistan during the last several years.

Air pollution in Lahore, a busy megacity of over 11 million people in Punjab province close to the boundary with India, frequently ranks as one of the world's worst cities in regards to air pollution. 

Locals are building their own air purifiers and suing government officials in an effort to clean up the air, but authorities have been reluctant to respond, blaming the haze on India or saying that the statistics are overstated, according to

"We are poor people, can't even afford a doctor's charges" shopkeeper Ikram Ahmed told AFP. 

"We can only plead with them to control the pollution. I am not a literate person, but I have read that Lahore has the worst air quality and then comes India's Delhi. If it continues like this, we will die." 

In the past, Saeed the laborer would take his children out for a stroll with him, but he no longer does so.

In order to get rid of this haze, there are manufacturers and small enterprises working here, so either relocate them, compensate them, or make mordern technology available, labourer Saeed said. 

Also Read: Scientists Claim that Prolonged Exposure to Air Pollution May Worsen Depression

How Can Air Pollution be Controlled?

One way to control air pollution is to use less fossil fuel. Some ideas for conserving fossil fuels include:

  • Considering the use of bike or walking, instead of driving.

  • Taking public transportation or joining a carpool

  • Investing in a vehicle with better fuel efficiency.

  • Making use of light bulbs and appliances that are energy efficient.

  • Reducing how you buy products made with fossil fuels.

Energy production by power plants is reduced as a result of all of the above measures.

Commuters ride along a road amid smoggy conditions in Lahore
(Photo : Getty Images)

New Forms of Energy 

It is critical to work on developing new forms of energy. In what ways are alternative energy sources being hindered? Alternative energy technologies, such as solar and wind, are continually being refined. As compared to burning fossil fuels, solar and wind power are still prohibitively expensive. The price will decline if the technology improves.

The sun doesn't shine enough in certain places, therefore solar power can't be used. Others are stifled by a lack of breeze. In order for regions to thrive, they must establish their own unique solutions.

The Great Plains may rely on wind power instead of solar in the Southwest's arid climate. Even though existing nuclear power plants have serious issues with safety and waste management, certain places may still depend on nuclear power.

The use of technology may be necessary in reducing air pollution in certain cases.

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