Your Excellency,
As the world gathers at COP28 to address the pressing issue of climate change, I write to you on behalf of the millions of citizens of Lahore, Pakistan, who are choking under the weight of a devastating air pollution crisis.
Lahore, once known as the City of Colors, is now turning grey, shrouded in a toxic haze that has made it one of the world’s top most polluted cities. This crisis is not just an environmental tragedy; it is a human rights catastrophe, causing 128,000 of premature deaths each year and wreaking havoc on the health of its citizens as 10,000 plus are currently hospitalized due to smog created diseases.
As you preside over COP28, I urge you to consider the irony of conducting a conference on climate change in Dubai, a city with pristine air quality, while ignoring the plight of Lahore, where the very air one breathes is a deadly poison. It takes a mere three hours to travel from Lahore to Dubai by plane, If the issue is left unaddressed, the smog’s reach could extend far beyond Lahore’s borders, becoming a pervasive issue that transcends continents.
Imagine, Mr. President, if the air quality of Lahore were suddenly to descend upon Dubai. The iconic Future Museum would disappear behind a veil of smog, the pristine beaches would be coated in a layer of toxic particles, and the bustling streets would be filled with people struggling to breathe.



This is the reality that the people of Lahore face every day. They wake up to a city shrouded in grey, their lungs burning with every breath, their children’s futures clouded by the specter of pollution-related illnesses.



Lahore cannot fight this battle alone. Pakistan, grappling with economic challenges and political instability, lacks the resources and expertise to effectively tackle this crisis. The world must come together to help Lahore breathe again.
I implore you, Mr. President, to address Lahore’s air quality crisis. Give the city’s inhabitants a voice, and together, let us find solutions to restore Lahore’s vibrant colors and provide its citizens with the right to clean air.
Sincerely,
Fifth Deck
Lahore