Pakistan ranks as the third most polluted country globally in 2024, with PM2.5 levels significantly above WHO safety limits. Although some urban areas like Karachi have shown minor improvements, cities such as Lahore and Islamabad continue to struggle with severe pollution. The World Health Organisation’s guidelines are frequently exceeded, highlighting an ongoing environmental crisis.
In 2024, Pakistan was ranked as the third most polluted country globally, according to the annual World Air Quality Report by IQAir. The report indicates that Chad is the most polluted country, followed by Bangladesh, with Pakistan subsequently ranked. The average concentration of PM2.5 particles in Pakistan was recorded at 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly exceeding the World Health Organisation’s guidelines by almost fifteen times.
Despite persistent smog, Pakistan’s air pollution levels remained consistent with 2023. Among Central and South Asian countries, Pakistan held the second position in terms of pollution levels, after Bangladesh. Major cities such as Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot featured among the region’s fifteen most polluted cities.
The report highlights that Pakistan’s high pollution is attributed to various sources, including industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, biomass burning, and construction dust. There was an increase in air pollution levels for cities like Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, while Faisalabad saw minimal changes. Conversely, Karachi’s PM2.5 levels decreased from over 55 micrograms per cubic meter in 2023 to approximately 46 micrograms in 2024.
Further, five Pakistani cities recorded PM2.5 pollution levels exceeding 200 microns in November. This comprehensive report utilized data from over 40,000 air quality monitoring stations across numerous global locations. A separate Ipsos report indicated that approximately 70% of Pakistan’s population faces health issues related to smog exposure.
Chad exhibited pollution levels eighteen times higher than safe limits, while India’s reached ten times above the WHO threshold. Despite improvements in 2024, India remained home to six of the world’s nine most polluted cities. Byrnihat, India, was named the most polluted metropolitan area, with an average PM2.5 level of 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, greatly surpassing the recommended levels. In contrast, Oceania was highlighted as the cleanest region in 2024, amidst South Asia’s continuing pollution crisis.
The World Air Quality Report underscores the severity of air pollution in Pakistan, ranking it third globally in 2024. With PM2.5 concentration levels drastically exceeding WHO safety limits, the country’s persistent pollution issues are tied to various environmental and industrial factors. While some cities showed improvement, particularly Karachi, others continued to witness rising pollution, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced in combating air quality deterioration in this region.
Original Source: tribune.com.pk
