Air pollution in Pakistan is not a new problem, but it has now reached such a critical level that it poses serious threats to human life and other organisms. It is time for the government to address the root causes of this escalating pollution crisis, yet instead, artificial rain is being considered—a temporary solution that costs around 5 to 7 million rupees per application and offers no permanent relief from the crisis. Unfortunately, well-established, effective solutions remain underutilised, while public funds are spent without clear direction. The smog choking the country will not dissipate with artificial rain but rather through the declaration of an environmental emergency and the implementation of urgent measures.

Every administration has made claims about controlling environmental pollution, but no substantial actions have been taken to address it effectively. This time, too, the government is making grand statements about reducing air pollution. Legislation has been proposed in the form of Article 9A, aiming to secure the “Right to a Clean and Healthy Environment,” and while this draws global attention to the issue, neither the enforcement of this legislation nor the artificial rain is yet visible. The same old strategies from previous years are being repeated: banning........

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