Sir: It seems like the smog which invaded Lahore last year is making a comeback. Smog is not condensed water vapour like fog. It is a mixture of pollution and water vapour in the atmosphere, and has a greyish colour, unlike fog, which has a whiter appearance.
Smog is a major health hazard. Last year many Lahorites were hospitalized because of respiratory ailments they got as a result of the smog. Even citizens who weren’t hospitalized complained of irritation in the eyes, nose and throat.
The government needs to make the environment a major priority. This is an issue that has been ignored for far too long. The government needs to start putting taxes on cars which are over ten years old because older cars release more emissions. Factories and brick kilns need to be fined or even sealed if they are seen to be polluting the environment. Taxes should be placed on diesel because it releases more nitrous oxide. The use of generators should also be taxed because they also release emissions which pollute the environment.
Furthermore, our government needs to sop relying on coal for power. Furthermore, Pakistan and India need to make mutual agreements dedicated to stopping pollution produced in one country from reaching the other. ‘Stubble burning’ of crops and fireworks on Diwali in India last year were a major reason for the smog in Pakistan last year.
Lastly, Pakistanis themselves need to wake up. The government can’t do anything until and unless the citizens of Pakistan change their attitudes about polluting the environment.
HASSAN ZAIDI
Lahore
Published in Daily Times, November 2nd 2017.