“Move to Karachi”: Bilawal Bhutto’s Response to Punjab, KP Smog Crisis

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari stirred reactions by suggesting that Pakistanis move to Karachi for better air quality as smog continues to severely affect Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Taking a jab at the administrations of these provinces, Bilawal mocked their inability to address the worsening air quality, posting real-time AQI data on his X account.

The data showed KP’s Peshawar leading with an AQI of 591, followed by Multan at 573 and Lahore at 479, highlighting alarming pollution levels. In contrast, Karachi’s AQI was recorded at 78, considered a relatively safer level. However, his comments sparked backlash from Karachi residents who criticized him, pointing to the city’s poor infrastructure, water shortages, and high crime rate.

Also read: Alarming Smog Levels in Lahore Captured in NASA Images, UNICEF Warns of Risks

The smog crisis in Punjab and KP has escalated in recent weeks, with Lahore topping the global pollution index, followed by New Delhi and Kinshasa. The toxic air poses significant health risks, especially for young children, with UNICEF warning that millions of children in Punjab are exposed to dangerous pollution levels.