Daily Times

Punjab government is failing to protect people from exposure to hazardous air in Punjab risks violating their human rights to life and health, Amnesty International said today.

Amnesty International has censured Pakistan’s government for its failure to protect people from “exposure to hazardous air” and “risking and violating human rights to life and health”.

Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore reached 484 at 10 am Pakistan time today. The threshold for “hazardous” levels of air quality is 300, where people are advised to “avoid all physical activity outdoors”.

“Air pollution and climate crisis are intricately linked. It exacerbates existing inequalities and paves the way for human rights violations. If authorities continue to stall making concerted efforts to address the smog crisis, it will continue to devastate human life,” Mohydin added, “The government can no longer afford to waste time while people are choking to death.”

A fundamental shift needs to take place across Pakistan’s industrial, agricultural and transportation practices, to make sure they are consistent with people’s human rights.

“There is something very wrong when the air becomes so toxic that you cannot breathe without hurting yourself. The government can no longer afford to waste time while people are choking to death,” said Rimmel Mohydin.