Smog in Lahore, Pakistan

Pakistan is currently facing a dire smog crisis, particularly evident in Lahore. Lahore is the second largest city of this third world country, which has now become synonymous with hazardous air quality. For the last two months in Lahore there has been an increase in cases with respiratory illness and ischemic heart disease. Hospitals are overburdened and there has been suffocating environment for residents; Punjab government has declared health emergency. Lahore's air quality has reached critical lows for last few years, which has disturbed the social and political fabric of the country. A report from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago reveals that air pollution has decreased the average life expectancy in Pakistan by 3.8 years, with a dramatic reduction of up to 7 years in the most polluted areas.