Pakistan’s Air Quality Crisis: Experts Urge Action from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
In Pakistan, air quality experts have raised concerns about severe air pollution, especially in Punjab, and have called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate action. The Pakistan Air Quality Experts (PAQx) highlighted the public health risks in a letter, suggesting urgent measures to address the smog crisis. Last month, Punjab’s air quality was declared a “calamity,” leading to school closures and restrictions on public spaces until November 17.
Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF’s representative in Pakistan, expressed concern for over 11 million children under five exposed to hazardous air pollution in Punjab. PAQx, consisting of 27 experts, emphasized the need for solutions based on scientific evidence and global best practices. They recommended shutting down brick kilns, which contribute significantly to pollution, and restricting heavy transport during certain hours to reduce emissions.
The group also urged the closure of non-compliant industrial units to further decrease pollution. PAQx proposed a 12-point plan, including aligning national standards with WHO guidelines, creating clean air zones, and transitioning to clean energy. These steps aim to guide Pakistan towards a healthier future.
Doubts Revealed
Air Quality Crisis -: An air quality crisis means the air is very polluted and not safe to breathe. This can make people sick, especially children and older people.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif -: Shehbaz Sharif is the leader of Pakistan, a country next to India. He is responsible for making important decisions for the country.
Punjab -: Punjab is a region in Pakistan, not to be confused with Punjab in India. It is facing a lot of air pollution problems.
Brick Kilns -: Brick kilns are places where bricks are made by baking clay. They can cause a lot of air pollution because they burn coal or wood.
Heavy Transport -: Heavy transport refers to big vehicles like trucks and buses. They can cause pollution because they use diesel fuel, which releases harmful smoke.
UNICEF -: UNICEF is an organization that helps children around the world. They are worried about kids breathing bad air in Pakistan.
Abdullah Fadil -: Abdullah Fadil is a person who works for UNICEF. He is concerned about the health of children in Pakistan due to air pollution.
WHO Guidelines -: WHO stands for World Health Organization. They set rules to help keep the air clean and safe to breathe.
Clean Energy -: Clean energy comes from sources that do not pollute the air, like solar or wind power. It is better for the environment and people’s health.
