A Young Pakistani Woman’s Mission to End Light Pollution

Shah Khalid Shah Jee 

Bajaur: In a world where pollution has taken many forms—air, water, noise—there’s one silent intruder that often goes unnoticed yet poses a serious threat to all living beings: light pollution. Unlike other types of pollution, it is surprisingly easy to control, but only if people care enough to act.

For Aiza Zahid, a young environmentalist and founder of the Starry Night Foundation Pakistan, this realization sparked a movement. Nine months ago, she established the organization to raise awareness about light pollution—a problem that dims not only the stars above but also the health and harmony of life on Earth.

“I grew up wondering why I couldn’t see stars in the night sky,” Aiza recalled. “At first, I thought my eyesight was weak. But by the time I turned twenty, I discovered it wasn’t my eyes—it was the excessive artificial light around us that had stolen the stars away.”

That realization became the turning point in her life. Determined to restore the natural beauty of the night sky and educate others about this overlooked environmental issue, Aiza launched the Starry Night Foundation in March this year.

Lighting the Path to Awareness

Today, Aiza leads a team of 50 volunteers, both men and women from diverse backgrounds, all united by the same goal: to protect the night sky. They consider their work a duty to nature.

Through online awareness webinars, the foundation regularly engages hundreds of participants from across Pakistan and abroad. These sessions feature experts on light pollution who explain its causes, consequences, and solutions, followed by interactive Q&A sessions.

The foundation has also built a strong social media presence, with thousands of followers across platforms. Its pages feature informative posts, visuals, and tips on reducing light pollution—making environmental education accessible to everyone, even in their spare moments.

The growing online engagement, Aiza said, shows that people are increasingly curious about this issue once they understand how easily it can be prevented.

A Global and Local Concern

According to data shared by the Starry Night Foundation, Singapore, China, the United States, and Qatar are among the world’s most light-polluted countries. However, the problem is now spreading rapidly across developing nations, including Pakistan, as urbanization and construction projects rely on excessive and poorly planned lighting.

Globally, light pollution is rising by 10 percent each year, making it one of the fastest-growing forms of environmental degradation.

Expert Endorsement

Environmental researcher Dr. Latifullah Khattak, who studies pollution trends in Pakistan, commended Aiza’s initiative. “For the first time in Pakistan, a foundation has started working specifically on light pollution, which is commendable,” he said.

Dr. Khattak, who also speaks at Starry Night Foundation webinars, explained that excessive artificial lighting disrupts the natural rhythm of light and darkness essential for ecosystems and human health.

“Light pollution alters biological clocks, increases stress, and contributes to diseases like obesity and even cancer,” he said. “For wildlife, it disrupts migration, breeding, and feeding patterns, threatening their survival. It also hinders astronomical research by making celestial bodies harder to observe.”

Understanding Light Pollution

Light pollution takes several forms:

Glare – Excessive brightness that interferes with vision, often from poorly designed outdoor lights.

Skyglow – The brightening of the night sky over populated areas, making stars invisible.

Light Trespass – Unwanted light spilling into areas where it’s neither needed nor welcome, such as a neighbor’s bedroom window.

Clutter – Overcrowded, disorganized light sources that cause visual confusion, common in urban settings.

Each type contributes to the overall degradation of the night environment, but all can be mitigated through better planning, awareness, and responsible usage.

From Awareness to Action

The foundation’s outreach is already inspiring change. Zoha Ashfaq, a student at Emerson College, Multan, attended one of its webinars two months ago.

“Before that session, I had no idea what light pollution was,” she said. “Now, I consciously avoid turning on unnecessary lights and encourage others to do the same. The foundation’s work is eye-opening—I hope they expand their webinars to every city.”

Dr. Khattak believes that community involvement is crucial: “Light pollution is no longer limited to big cities; it’s spreading to small towns as well. Every citizen should see it as their duty to help control it. All it takes is commitment and awareness.”

Collective Responsibility

Despite her team’s dedication, Aiza acknowledges the challenges of running the campaign with limited resources. She appeals to donor agencies, philanthropists, and citizens to support the cause.

“Light pollution is easy to control compared to other environmental problems,” she emphasized. “All we need is cooperation—from communities, institutions, and individuals. Together, we can bring back the stars.”

As the night sky continues to fade under the glare of artificial light, Aiza’s mission is a reminder that protecting darkness can also mean protecting life itself.

Contact: For more information or to volunteer, visit the Starry Night Foundation Pakistan’s social media pages or reach out to its team of volunteers.