Pakistan having its second successive democratic government is facing colossal amount of problems such as corruption, lack of political leadership and an economy where every Pakistani owes over Rs. 101,338 in debt. But more importantly, the country is a major player towards climate change which was a popular subject last year at the Paris summit. However, none of the political parties are vocal on the subject.

According to Yale Environmental Performance Index 2016, Pakistan ranks 148 out of 178. Whereas, last year?s World Health Organisations listed Karachi (5) Peshawar (6) and Rawalpindi (7) in the top 20 most polluted cities. If you have ever visited Karachi, you would know the pollution problem is very severe there are thousands of spots where garbage is at alarming levels. This is mostly small local businesses and households? rubbish that is ruling the streets of the metropolitan city. Areas such as Clifton, Gulshan, Gulistan-e-Jahur, FB Area, FC Area, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, North Karachi and others present a view of landfills. Nevertheless, the Karachi administration and our beloved Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah are least bothered to take strict action against the violators of the law who dump waste as per their convenience.

In Rawalpindi, the scenes are not much different, the Punjab government has failed because their prime focus does not shift from Lahore which is also called ?Paris? of Pakistan. The city is in need of attention as it seems like a slum that is surrounding the capital Islamabad. Roadsides, service lanes, underneath the bridges, residential blocks are all filled with waste courtesy our illiterate and uneducated public and the government. In the country?s 69th year of existence neither we have produced an educated nation nor we have strict law implementation. The pollution figures that are hitting the roof will one day bring down the country in a severe mess. According to the healthcare figures, 88,000 Pakistanis are admitted to the hospitals nationwide due to pollution with at least 5% people of the count demise annually.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has been doing wonders and miracles in Peshawar. If one follows their social media accounts, it makes the person believe that the city has changed into paradise. It prompts one to disregard the idea of going to the West for better opportunities and lifestyle and travel to Peshawar for all the fun. The billion tree tsunami is the party?s prime achievement but still it could not save Peshawar from being listed as the number 6th most polluted city in the world. On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is using PTV to give the same feel that all is good in Pakistan except few psychotic opposing political parties.

In Pakistan, air, land and water pollutions are the main causes for environmental issues. Also, in cities likes Karachi, Peshawar, Faisalabad and Sialkot industrial waste is also playing its dirty role to harm the atmosphere we breathe. Surprisingly Lahore is a role model city for the country as roads the two Sharif brothers travel from, to and through are all, of course, spotless. What do you even mean by pollution?

At least 5% of the country?s total population suffers from asthma caused by pollution. Yet, political parties are busy in point scoring and giving false hopes. Punjab government started creating awareness regarding the issue and revisited the policies to control and curtail the fatal problem caused by pollution. However, one cannot see any seriousness as no strict implementation has come to light to protect our environment.

The various industrial zones in Pakistan are disposing over 1,500 tons of effluents every day. The pharmaceutical industry, flour mills, oil and ghee mills, marble factories and plastic extrusion mills are all key players in heavily polluting the water. Sometimes in return, this causes contamination in the drinking water. Also, they are impacting the air through fossil fuel emissions. These emissions include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Moreover, chemical reactions from factories create another air pollutant, Ozone that forms with sunlight, nitrous oxide and volatile organic compounds in the air. On the lower side at least 204 manufacturing units in the country lack or have inadequate facilities for treatment of waste emissions.

In Pakistan pollution levels are quickly escalating due to CO2 emission. In the last 20 years, the number of vehicles in the country has increased from around 2 million to 10.6 million with little government control of policy making.

The lack of government interest or its incapability or limited capacity whatever one may want to call it the fact is the nation is facing a stiff challenge. Public witnessing the situation, where the garbage pile-ups on the roads, severe CO2 emission (especially of the vehicles that are over 20 years old), industrial waste and with no waste management strategy nationwide it is just a sad state of affairs. A government that does not work for the welfare of its citizen will always struggle to boost the economy because tax collection will remain low. The primary reason will always be a lack of public trust.