My love for Lahore feels conflicted these days, challenged by the very air that surrounds me. This is the city where I spent my childhood, the place that shaped who I am—a city of vibrant culture, deep history, and unparalleled hospitality. Lahore has always been a lively hub, radiating warmth and endless energy.
As the saying goes, “Lahore Lahore Hai”—there’s simply no place like it.
But Lahore has now become the third most polluted city globally, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) that is dangerously unhealthy for all. The temporary improvement in air quality isn’t due to any lasting changes, but rather a consequence of reduced activity during lockdowns. The smog, dense and unrelenting, continues to blanket the city. Without sustainable solutions, these brief moments of relief will remain few and fleeting.
We can no longer be passive observers of the smog crisis. This isn’t just a problem for authorities or institutions to tackle—it’s a crisis that affects us all. Each of us plays a part in the pollution suffocating our beloved Lahore, and each of us can contribute to the solution.
Awareness is the first step towards transformation; by understanding our contribution to pollution, we can start taking action to reduce it.