New Delhi: There is ‘good news’ for the supporters of India-Pakistan rivalry. The neighbouring country has left India behind in one aspect — pollution. Lahore has been declared world’s most polluted city followed by New Delhi with an Air Quality Index of 289, as announced by IQAir, a global environmental think tank.
Some of the areas of Lahore have AQI as high as 500 (Kot Lakhpat), making it extremely hazardous to live and breathe in such air. Pakistani Twitter has its own way to respond to the news.
A Twitter user said everything is temporary but “Lahore ranks first in environmental pollution” is permanent.
Everything is temporary but "Lahore ranks first in environmental pollution" is permanent ?
— Maryam.Irtza (@irtza333) November 1, 2021
People who were considering moving to Lahore, may now reconsider. Another Twitter user wondered whether she should run away to Bhutan.
For someone moving to Lahore from Islamabad, how bad is the air pollution scene? Is it very difficult? What do I need to buy? Is it too late to run away to Bhutan?
— Supernova™ (@StarFleckedSky) November 1, 2021
Some are also worried about the added expense of an air freshener.
Running on max for hours, yet air in the room is not getting sufficiently clear. I guess the new filter that I just got won’t be lasting long. Another expense you’ve to bear to live in Lahore #smog #pollution pic.twitter.com/DY5A07KnqT
— Mian Mobeen Shafaat (@mobeenshafaat) November 1, 2021
When policies stay on paper without proper support of Tech. It will stay like this, unfortunately. I am feeling sorry for the population there.
— R?miz v2.ع (@i_bot404) November 1, 2021
Another user called the air of the city “cancerous “, adding that no one can survive here even for 10 minutes.
You cant survive 10 mins in this cancerous air.
— Sarim Rashid? (@crypt0surgeon) November 1, 2021
Pakistanis also blamed the authorities for the mess. While some criticised the present government, others held the previous dispensation responsible.
A Twitter account blamed the incompetence of those in power for bringing Lahore to this stage.
4th winter and these incompetents have made Lahore reach the top of the world in Pollution.
— Sarim Rashid? (@crypt0surgeon) November 1, 2021
To this, a user sarcastically responded saying that during the previous government’s regime, people from across the world would come visiting Lahore used to come to cleanse their lungs in Lahore.
Yeahh I remember the winters before they came to power. People from all over the world were coming here to cleanse their lungs. There was no smog and i think even the dying Bhutanese Prince stayed here and defeated lung cancer and was here till the age of 111.
— M.A.M (@Imranmyjaan) November 1, 2021
There were also those who came to the government’s defence. A user pointed out that green cover has been decreasing since 1990, which is not the present regime’s fault.
These incompetents, dobara vote dena zara inko https://t.co/c6TwPhZW7m pic.twitter.com/kv4ZoRpKW9
— Rizwan (@Rizwow) November 1, 2021
Putting the burden of change on common people, a user asked if those crying about the situation even knew the environment minister’s name.
Fellow Lahoris who are increasingly distressed by the Smog crisis, do you know who is the Environment Minister in Punjab?
Once you find the answer, you will know about the level of seriousness in dealing with your problems.
— Dawar Butt (@theLahorewala) November 1, 2021
The problem of smog and poor AQI has been a persistent one in Lahore. The city, otherwise referred to as the identical of Delhi by literature and heritage lovers, is also competing in terms of air pollution. Even in 2019, the city had witnessed a sudden spike in AQI from 200 to 500. Some also contributed to changing wind directions coming from India, bringing stubble burning smoke from Punjab.
India is one of the biggest polluters, Lahore should sue them in the EU for the annual winter smog when Indian farmers burn their crops, Indian factories churn out millions of tonnes of pollution all aimed towards Pakistan due to the winds.
— No more NAMAK HARAM (@gohomeafghani) November 1, 2021
(Edited by Anurag Chaubey)