Tackling Smog Requires Years of Consistent Effort, Says Malik Ahmed Khan

LAHORE: Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan has stated that overcoming the severe smog crisis gripping the province will require continuous, dedicated efforts over several years rather than temporary emergency measures. Speaking on the persistent environmental challenge plaguing Lahore and adjoining regions, the Speaker emphasized the imperative need for long-term planning and institutional commitment to curb hazardous air pollution effectively.

Highlighting the complex nature of the issue, Malik Ahmed Khan noted that high toxic emissions, industrial pollution, open burning of agricultural crop residue, and vehicular exhaust have collectively aggravated air quality across Punjab. “Smog is an environmental hazard built up over decades, and resolving it is not possible overnight or within a single season; it demands sustained multi-year strategies and comprehensive enforcement,” he remarked while addressing the pressing health threat.

The recurring seasonal smog has severely impacted public health in major cities, leading to a dramatic increase in respiratory illnesses, eye infections, and cardiovascular complaints among citizens. Beyond the public health toll, hazardous visibility levels routinely disrupt daily life, causing transport delays on major motorways, school closures, and significant economic losses across key commercial sectors in the province.

Outlining the way forward, the Speaker called upon provincial lawmakers, environmental experts, and government departments to collaborate on robust legislative frameworks and strict compliance measures. He underscored the necessity of modernizing agricultural practices to eliminate crop burning, shifting brick kilns to zig-zag technology, enforcing strict vehicular emission checks, and expanding urban green spaces to secure sustainable clean air for future generations.