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A thick cloud of smoke, toxic fumes, and unbearable stench — residents near Karachi’s DHA entrance are crying out for help as garbage burning turns daily life into a health hazard.
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, is once again battling a crisis of its own making — garbage burning. At the Baloch Pul area near the DHA entrance, heaps of uncollected trash have been set ablaze, filling the air with hazardous smoke that poses serious risks to public health.
Residents say the problem has worsened over recent weeks, with waste piling up unchecked and spontaneous fires becoming a daily sight. The acrid smell and dark fumes not only make breathing difficult but also spread harmful pollutants across nearby neighborhoods. “We can’t even open our windows anymore — the smoke seeps into our homes,” lamented one resident.
Environmental experts warn that burning waste releases toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide, dioxins, and particulate matter that can cause respiratory diseases and long-term health damage. They urge city authorities to adopt sustainable waste management practices instead of allowing open dumping and burning in populated areas.
Despite repeated complaints from locals, there has been little visible action from municipal bodies. The site near DHA symbolizes a larger issue — Karachi’s broken waste management system. Without strict enforcement and proper waste disposal infrastructure, the city risks worsening its air quality crisis.
Karachi deserves clean air, not toxic smoke. Authorities must act swiftly to remove the dump, enforce anti-burning laws, and invest in long-term waste recycling and management solutions before the city’s air becomes un liveable
