Pakistan’s own pollution causes smog, say experts – Pakistan

LAHORE: As Lahore's smog levels exceeded 550 in the Air Quality Index, meant as dangerous, environmental experts and activists express their dismay and horror at what will develop further.

According to some instruments installed in Lahore, the Gulberg area even registered 600 AQI. The last level of "dangerous" in the AQI is between 250 and 300, which requires people with heart and lung diseases, older adults and children must stay indoors and keep activity levels low. All outdoor physical activity should be avoided, says the index.

Imran Khalid, who has a PhD in Environmental Policy, says that in colder climates (autumn and winter), warm air does not allow the colder air below to rise, which leads to visible pollution and this is what He is witnessing in Lahore and even to Islamabad.

“Some of the sources of this smog include vehicular pollution with very low fuel quality, along with the lack of pollution control technologies in our vehicles, industrial pollution, burning of municipal and even industrial waste and brick kilns they again use dirty fuel like rubber tires, "says Khalid, who also heads the Department of Environment and Climate Change at the Islamabad Institute for Sustainable Development Policies.

Main traffic, industry and agriculture pollutants with 43, 25 and 20 percent share, respectively

He believes that the situation during this time of the year is worsened by the burning of crop stubble and, depending on the direction of the wind, pollution on both sides of the border with India may affect the neighboring country.

However, he adds, it is important to remember that research shows that the key sources of air pollution in Pakistan are local in nature.

“There are several laws at the national and provincial levels to address our extremely poor air quality, but implementation is lacking. In fact, we do not have a sufficient number of monitoring devices to monitor air pollution levels in real time. This has led to a growth in the number of private monitors, which have been deployed by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI), for example. In addition, the United States Embassy has also brought its own monitors and placed them in the Embassy and associated Consulates. "

Khalid points out that there is a clear lack of political will to move forward with the recommendations of the smog commission or to address the problems raised by citizens in the climate march.

The Punjab Sector Emissions Inventory shows that most of the air pollution emissions come from the transport sector and have a 43{7be40b84a6a43fc4fae13304fce9a2695859798abfc41afd127b9f8b21c5f9c5} share in all sectors (energy, industry, transportation and crop burning residues). The second important pollutant is the industry whose participation is 25pc, while the third important pollutant is agriculture, which represents 20pc. Collectively, the main sectors that create pollutants and air emissions are energy, industry and transport, which have an 80{7be40b84a6a43fc4fae13304fce9a2695859798abfc41afd127b9f8b21c5f9c5} contribution to emissions and pollution, where the conditions of photochemical contamination of Punjab arise.

The R-Smog report, prepared by the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UNFAO), clearly states that the winds are from the west in winter. Therefore, there is little chance of crop smoke coming from India.

Meanwhile, there is a general disappointment at the government's indifference to the issue.

Aysha Raja, a civil society activist, wants to draw attention to a letter written by Climate Action Now Pakistan to the Standing Committee on Climate Change of the National Assembly, headed by Munazza Hasan, requesting that the refineries be held responsible for not updating Euro 4, despite collecting 100 billion rupees in "Deemed Duty" since 2004.

"As citizens, we have the right to ask our government representatives to hold the big polluters accountable," he says.

Another activist adds that every time the issue is mentioned, the government does not respond and tries to get attention to bring electric cars.

Mueed Qureshi, an engineering expert, says that Pakistan generally imports crude oil at a standard international rate per barrel.

"Our local refineries produce the final vehicle fuel, and raise or lower prices according to international rates," he says. "And yet, they only provide Euro 2-compatible fuel, while in advanced countries their refineries provide Euro 4-compatible fuel. Our refineries don't offer better quality to the market and yet they get the same benefits."

Dr. Imran Khalid says that addressing the problem of fuel quality would be key to the long-term solution of our air pollution problems.

"Meanwhile, the health of our most vulnerable sectors of society, such as children, the elderly and other people living in extreme circumstances, is directly threatened," he warns.

Published on Dawn, November 1, 2019