Pakistan stood at the number three position, as listed in the 2024 World Air Quality Report by Swiss air technology firm IQAir. This is an alarming ranking that points to the acute air quality crisis that the country has been grappling with. Chad held the number one position as the most polluted nation, followed by Bangladesh. Other nations on the list are the Democratic Republic of Congo and India.
Facts and Figures
The study utilised information from more than 7,000 cities globally, comparing air quality with the levels of PM2.5. Pakistan’s average PM2.5 level was 71.5 micrograms per cubic meter in 2024, much higher than the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) suggested threshold of 5 micrograms per cubic meter. Lahore and Karachi are well-known to be among the worst cities with smog and dirty air and contribute significantly to the country’s overall poor air quality.
Furthermore, air pollution in Pakistan causes thousands of premature deaths every year, in addition to serious respiratory diseases and other health issues. The economic burden is also enormous, with lost labour and healthcare expenditure outweighing the country’s finances.
Measures Already Taken
Pakistan has accepted the fact that it has a pollution issue, and attempts like the ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ plan have been made to enhance the environment through tree plantation initiatives and promoting awareness. The government has even, on special occasions, enforced short-term solutions like shutting down schools and limiting industrial practices during extreme smog attacks.
A few provincial governments have implemented air quality monitoring systems, but there is weak enforcement. There is still limited access to credible air quality data, which makes it difficult to create effective policies.
Solutions to Combat Pollution
To tackle air pollution, Pakistan must implement immediate and long-term solutions:
Enhancing Public Transport: Creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly public transport system can help lower vehicular emissions by a considerable margin.
Stronger Industrial Regulations: It is imperative to enforce tighter regulations on industries, especially the ones dealing in brick kilns and steel industries.
Encouraging Renewable Energy: Moving from fossil fuels to more environmentally friendly sources of energy like solar and wind power can minimize pollution.
Urban Planning and Parks: Greening urban areas and improving urban planning mechanisms can minimise pollution.
Awareness Campaigns: Raising public awareness on the health implications of air pollution and mobilizing individual action.
Read More: World Wildlife Day: Top 10 Endangered Species in Pakistan
The Way Forward
As programmes are underway, the scale and speed of these initiatives are inadequate in light of the scope of the issue. Pakistan needs to reaffirm its commitment to improving air quality through increased enforcement of rules, wider application of clean energy technologies and ongoing measures to track levels of pollution. Cooperation with neighbouring nations with similar issues might also offer a means to more ambitious regional responses.
With pollution still posing a threat to public health and economic security, immediate and concerted action is needed to ensure a cleaner, healthier future for the nation.
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