Pakistan’s ongoing struggle with air pollution underscores the critical need to bridge the gap between scientific research, policymaking, and industry practices. Climate change and deteriorating air quality are complex, long-term issues that cannot be resolved through isolated or temporary measures. Without tackling their root causes, efforts to mitigate pollution will continue to produce only short-lived improvements. The recent adoption of anti-smog guns in Punjab exemplifies both the government’s proactive approach and the broader challenges of sustainable air quality management.
While the initiative demonstrates a willingness to explore new technologies, environmental experts have raised valid concerns about the resource implications of using anti-smog guns, particularly regarding water consumption. Lahore’s groundwater reserves are already under severe strain, with the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) reporting annual declines of two to three feet. Since the 1960s, the water table has fallen more than 18 metres, and in some areas, it is now below 70 metres. Environmental lawyer Altamash Saeed pointed out that a single water cannon operating for twelve hours uses nearly 144,000 litres of water, meaning that fifteen such cannons could consume more than 2.2 million litres daily. This trade-off raises serious questions about balancing short-term gains in air clarity with long-term water sustainability. Although tests in the Kahna area indicated that coarse particulate matter (PM10) levels dropped by around 70 percent, the technology remains ineffective against fine PM2.5 particles, which pose greater risks to human health due to their ability to penetrate deep into the lungs.
The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maintains that anti-smog guns form only one element of a broader, data-driven strategy. According to Sajid Bashir, EPA’s spokesperson, sixteen air quality monitors installed across Lahore enable targeted responses to rising pollution levels. This approach highlights the importance of integrating technology with strategic reforms addressing emissions from vehicles, crop residue burning, and brick kilns. Some areas of Lahore have reported Air Quality Index (AQI) readings exceeding 1,000, far surpassing the World Health Organization’s safe limit. Expanding monitoring networks, such as those developed through collaboration with JICA, remains a positive step, but ensuring that scientific and industrial expertise informs policy design is essential for long-term effectiveness.
Experts stress that collaboration between policymakers, industry practitioners, and researchers can lead to practical, evidence-based policies tailored to Pakistan’s environmental realities. Encouraging dialogue and cross-sector coordination will strengthen climate resilience while ensuring the efficient use of climate finance for initiatives that yield both ecological and social benefits. Addressing issues such as stubble burning also requires providing farmers with affordable and sustainable alternatives, including crop residue management tools, composting support, and incentive programs. Awareness campaigns alone cannot drive change without accessible options. Furthermore, ministries overseeing air, agriculture, water, and urban planning must coordinate closely to ensure that environmental strategies are comprehensive and interconnected.
Air pollution also transcends borders, making regional cooperation crucial. Collaborative frameworks between Pakistan and India through regional platforms such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) could enable shared research, joint monitoring, and coordinated interventions. By fostering cooperation and embedding science in policy, Pakistan can transition from reactive measures to sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based environmental governance.
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