AIR pollution is often touted as an invisible enemy, quietly eroding our health and environment, but in cities like Islamabad, the threat is becoming all too visible. Once a city synonymous with fresh air and scenic beauty, Islamabad now finds itself grappling with the suffocating grip of smog. As the capital’s air quality plunges to alarming levels, we must confront a sobering truth: the air we breathe is slowly killing us. And the clock is ticking.
Recent data shows that pollution levels in Islamabad are nearing those of New Delhi, one of the most polluted cities in the world. According to the World Health Organization, the concentration of PM2.5 particles in the capital’s air is more than 14 times the recommended limit. These microscopic particles, so small that they can slip into our lungs and bloodstream, are linked to a host of life-threatening diseases, including respiratory infections, heart attacks, and strokes.
What’s even more harrowing is that the average resident of Islamabad could lose up to four years of life expectancy due to poor air quality. Four years of life, stolen by the very air we breathe. This isn’t just a problem for the elderly or those with health conditions; it affects everyone, from children playing outside to professionals commuting to work.
A local physician recently mentioned the rising number of patients suffering from chronic respiratory issues. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said. “Young patients are showing lung problems we typically see in much older individuals. It’s like we’re all living in a gas chamber.” These stories are becoming alarmingly common, but despite the health crisis, air pollution remains a low priority on the political agenda.
In response to the worsening smog, authorities have turned to short-term solutions like cloud seeding, which induces artificial rain. While this may temporarily clear the air, it does little to address the root causes of pollution. It’s a Band-Aid solution, failing to treat the deeper wound- our neglect of environmental sustainability. Islamabad’s once-lush green spaces have been sacrificed for shopping malls, highways, and housing developments. The result? A city choking on its own rapid urbanization.
In 2024, the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) reported a slight 18 percent drop in air pollution across South Asia due to above-normal rainfall. But while this was a rare improvement, the report also made clear that the reduction is temporary and will not last without concrete, sustained action. In Islamabad, even with this slight decline, pollution levels remain notoriously high. The culprits behind this environmental decay are not confidential: unchecked vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, construction dust, and the burning of waste. These pollutants create the toxic smog that blankets the city, especially during the winter months when temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground. Yet, despite understanding these factors, we continue to prioritize short-term economic gains over the long-term health of our citizens.
This brings us to a critical question: can we afford to sacrifice our health for fleeting economic benefits? Yes, Pakistan is dealing with an economic crisis, but the cost of inaction on air pollution is far greater. We’re not just risking our economic future but our collective health and quality of life. Trading environmental sustainability for temporary economic relief is a dangerous gamble that we simply cannot afford. The solution, though challenging, is clear. Stricter emissions standards must be enforced with real consequences for violators. Industrial pollution needs to be reined in, and outdated, smoke-spewing vehicles must be removed from the roads. Islamabad’s public transportation system, which remains underdeveloped, should be overhauled to provide eco-friendly alternatives. Clean energy solutions, such as solar and wind power, must be incentivized. And the city’s green spaces, instead of being sacrificed for urban sprawl, should be protected and expanded.
This isn’t solely the government’s responsibility; it’s also up to us as citizens. Each of us can contribute by reducing our car usage, embracing green practices at home, and raising awareness about the dangers of air pollution. Passive complaints are no longer enough. Action is needed, and it’s needed now. Globally, air pollution is not an isolated problem, and tackling it will require regional cooperation. Countries in South Asia must collaborate to address the transboundary nature of pollution, ensuring that progress made in one area is not undone by inaction elsewhere. Pakistan has made some strides, encouraging cleaner brick kiln technologies and shutting down polluting factories during peak winter months. However, much more needs to be done to create sustainable, lasting change.It’s often said that “you don’t appreciate the value of clean air until you can’t breathe.” In Islamabad, that time is fast approaching. If we fail to act now, we risk irreversible damage to both our health and our environment. On this International Day of Clean Air for blue skies, let’s not allow it to be another fleeting moment of awareness. Let it be the catalyst for real change, before it’s too late.
—The stakes are too high, and the costs of inaction are far too great.
The writer is a policy analyst and researcher with a Master’s degree in Public Policy from King’s College London. (soha.nisar@yahoo.com)
