- A three-year-old girl, Amal Sukhera, filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC), accusing the Punjab government of failing to address severe air pollution aka Lahore Smog, which violates citizens’ constitutional rights to a healthy environment.
- Represented by Barrister Ali Zafar, Amal argued that the hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) levels and unchecked smoke-emitting vehicles reduce life expectancy, prompting the court to question the legality of a child filing such a petition.
- Justice Jawad Hassan ordered immediate actions, including early market closures and traffic restrictions, to curb the smog crisis and scheduled a follow-up hearing for November 18.
In an unprecedented move, a three-year-old girl named Amal Sukhera approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) with a petition demanding action against authorities for failing to tackle the escalating environmental pollution in Punjab.
Represented by Barrister Ali Zafar, Amal has called on the court to hold the Punjab government accountable for the dangerously high levels of air pollution, which she claims are impacting both young children and the elderly. She contends that the government’s lack of effective measures to control pollution infringes on citizens’ fundamental rights under Article 9A of the Constitution, which ensures the right to a clean and healthy environment.
The petition highlights that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Punjab has reached hazardous levels, worsened by unchecked, smoke-emitting vehicles lacking proper fitness certifications. Amal also notes that air pollution has led to a reduction in average life expectancy by five years.
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The court raised concerns about the validity of a petition filed by a three-year-old. In response, Amal’s lawyer argued that any citizen affected by government policies has the right to seek judicial intervention. When questioned why Amal was not present in court, her lawyer explained that she had been advised to stay home due to severe smog conditions.
LHC orders early market closures and traffic restrictions to tackle the smog crisis. Justice Jawad Hassan of the LHC directed the Punjab government to take immediate measures to address the pollution crisis, including a crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles and issued notices to the relevant authorities for their response. The case is scheduled for further hearing on November 18.
Miscarriages & Strokes Amongst Women
Air pollution is a significant global health issue, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating in 2012 that outdoor air pollution caused 3.7 million premature deaths, while indoor air pollution contributed to 3.8 million premature deaths worldwide.
Exposure to air pollution has been linked to various health problems in adults, including respiratory diseases, cardiovascular issues, strokes, and lung cancer. A key component of air pollution, PM2.5, consists of tiny particles capable of penetrating the respiratory system and entering the bloodstream.
Due to its small size, PM2.5 can trigger biological responses like inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially leading to severe health consequences, including adverse pregnancy outcomes. Research on how air pollution affects fetal development is still in its early stages but suggests potential risks.
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Fertility at Risk: Pakistan’s Silent Struggle Against Air Pollution
The developing fetus is particularly vulnerable to environmental pollutants, including air pollution. Studies have indicated that exposure to air pollutants can negatively impact maternal health and lead to complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, growth restrictions, and congenital abnormalities.
Pregnancy loss, encompassing both miscarriages (spontaneous abortions before 20 weeks) and stillbirths (loss of a fetus after 20 weeks), is the most severe pregnancy outcome. Although factors like smoking, magnetic field exposure, and placental issues have been linked to pregnancy loss, the specific relationship between air pollution and pregnancy loss remains under-researched.
Miscarriage is the most common and serious complication of early pregnancy, affecting about 17–22% of all recognized pregnancies. The actual rate may be higher, as many losses occur before clinical detection. The WHO reported 2.6 million stillbirths globally in 2009, with over 7,200 occurring daily.
While various factors such as umbilical cord issues and smoking are known causes of stillbirth, the role of air pollution in pregnancy loss has not been thoroughly examined. Recent reviews have started to explore the impact of air pollution on adverse pregnancy outcomes.
However, systematic reviews specifically assessing the effects of air pollution on both miscarriage and stillbirth are limited, highlighting the need for further research to clarify these associations.
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