Kabul Residents Call for Serious Action on Air Pollution

Kabul residents are expressing concerns about the increasing air pollution in recent days.

They are calling on the interim government authorities to address this challenge seriously.

Abdul Qader, a Kabul resident, said: “Our request to the government is to lower the price of firewood so that people can use it. Air pollution causes illnesses in both children and adults.”

Ahmad Jawad, another Kabul resident, stated:”People in Afghanistan cannot afford to buy firewood, so they burn plastic and tires instead.”

Doctors believe that air pollution causes various diseases, especially respiratory illnesses.

Sohrab Arab, a physician, said: “One of the main reasons for hospitalizations of children and adults during the winter season is air pollution, which leads to respiratory, cardiac, and infectious diseases. If left untreated in the long term, it can also result in respiratory system cancers.”

Munir Ahmad Karimi, another doctor, said: “Air pollution directly affects all of the body’s systems and contributes to various illnesses.”

Meanwhile, Kabul Municipality officials have announced nighttime patrols to monitor air pollution.

A representative from Kabul Municipality stated that these patrols aim to identify major sources of air pollution and to supervise activities that typically exacerbate pollution during both day and night.

Nematullah Barakzai, a Kabul Municipality representative, said: “In accordance with municipal regulations, all high-rise buildings and public bathhouses across Kabul are being inspected to ensure they have active filters during their operations.”

Sayed Mohammad Suleimankhil, an environmental expert, said: “Efforts to control pollution require comprehensive public awareness campaigns and policy enforcement.”

Additionally, the National Environmental Protection Agency has assured ongoing efforts to combat air pollution in the capital.

Ahmad Faisal Baryalai, head of inspection and monitoring at the agency, said: “We are consistently and strictly advising high-rise buildings and facilities with heating systems to ensure their filtration systems are operational.”

Air pollution has become one of the biggest challenges for Kabul residents in recent days.
Time will tell whether the authorities will address this crisis effectively and on time.