Air Pollution
Air Pollution: Three weeks ago, I arrived in London with my nine-year-old daughter. The next morning, we went for a walk. She suddenly said, “Baba, I can breathe here.” She was talking about the air. In Lahore, she always wore a mask outside.
Polluted Air Crisis
That morning, London’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 20. Lahore’s AQI was around 140. Lahore’s average AQI was about 170 last year. On many days, it reached 200 to 300. London’s average AQI was 42 in 2024 and 45 in 2025.
My daughter wore a mask in Lahore. Still, she needed medicine for allergies and breathing problems. She became sick more often in recent years. Other children at her school faced similar problems. A paediatrician said many children in Pakistan use such medicines regularly. School absences have also increased.
Health Risks and Solutions
Air pollution harms our health. It can affect children’s lung growth. It can also affect brain development and learning. In adults, it can cause serious health problems. These include heart disease, high blood pressure, strokes and breathing disorders. Children face greater risks because their bodies are still developing.
London once faced severe smog. The city took strong action to clean its air. In 2019, the mayor introduced the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). The programme set stricter emission limits for vehicles. Drivers had to pay fines if their vehicles failed to meet the standards. London later expanded the programme across the city.
ULEZ Improves Children’s Health
Many people opposed ULEZ. They argued that it increased costs for vehicle owners. However, research now shows major health benefits. A five-year study found better lung growth among London’s children. Researchers compared them with children in Luton. Luton did not have ULEZ.
At the start, London’s children had smaller lungs. After five years, their lung growth improved. They caught up with children in Luton. The number of children with weak lung function also fell by five per cent.
Global Action on Pollution
Another study found a major drop in pollution-related deaths. Between 2019 and 2024, toxic-air deaths fell by about 40 per cent. Nitrogen dioxide levels also fell by 41 per cent. These results have reduced opposition to ULEZ.
Other cities are taking similar steps. Sofia in Bulgaria is replacing coal and wood heating systems. The city also helps low-income families. These measures have reduced harmful particles by about 20 per cent.
Developing countries are also making progress. Bogotá in Colombia has cut air pollution by about 24 per cent since 2018. Nairobi in Kenya passed an air quality law in 2022. It aims to cut harmful emissions by half by 2035. Hundreds of cities are now working to improve air quality.
Pakistan Needs Long-Term Action
Pakistan discusses air pollution every year. The AQI rises sharply during pollution seasons. Schools close and authorities take emergency steps. But these actions only provide temporary relief.
Pakistan needs a long-term plan. We need cleaner air for our children. We cannot depend on masks and medicines forever. The government must take strong action. Citizens must also demand change. Together, we can make Pakistan’s air safer.
Published in Dawn, 28th August 2026
