‘Move to Karachi’: Bilawal responds to smog crisis affecting Punjab, KP

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has suggested that citizens across the country consider relocating to Karachi for better air quality, amid the ongoing smog crisis affecting various provinces.

In a post on social media platform X, Bilawal mocked the governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), saying, “Dear Pakistan, move to Karachi,” in response to the worsening air pollution in the northern and central regions of the country.

The smog, which began in Punjab, has now spread to several districts in KP, where residents have reported a range of health issues, including eye and throat infections and breathing problems.

The air quality in Lahore, one of the most affected cities, has been especially poor, with thick, toxic smog enveloping the city for weeks. Satellite images released by NASA show large, dense clouds of pollution visible from space.

The situation has prompted global concern, with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issuing a statement on Monday warning that over 11 million children under the age of five are at significant risk due to the severe air pollution in Punjab.

Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF’s representative in Pakistan, called for urgent action to address the environmental crisis and safeguard the health of children in the region.

The government of Punjab has yet to announce significant measures to combat the smog, though environmental experts have called for immediate steps to reduce air pollution, including restrictions on industrial emissions, vehicle emissions, and the burning of crop stubble.

The health risks posed by the ongoing smog crisis are expected to remain a major concern for the coming months, with the winter season typically exacerbating air quality issues in Pakistan’s major urban centers.