Pakistan ranks third in the world for pollution in 2024, greatly impacted by a severe smog crisis. Major cities like Lahore and Peshawar report extremely high levels of PM2.5 pollution. Roughly 70% of the population has faced health issues. Experts are urging immediate policy action to address the ongoing air quality crisis.
In 2024, Pakistan has been designated as the third most polluted country globally according to the latest World Air Quality Report, reflecting a severe smog crisis that has adversely affected public health. The troubling report, released by Swiss air technology company IQAir, highlights that Pakistan is preceded only by Chad and Bangladesh in pollution rankings.
Specifically, the report reveals Pakistan’s average PM2.5 concentration stands at 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter, which is approximately 15 times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe threshold. Major cities like Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar rank among the worst affected by this environmental challenge.
In Punjab, particularly, an alarming increase in smog levels led authorities to declare a calamity, with nearly two million individuals requiring medical assistance due to pollution-related ailments. Although this situation escalated, the overall air pollution metrics in Pakistan remained consistent compared to the previous year, conveying an unyielding crisis.
Among the factors contributing to the persistent pollution are biomass burning, industrial emissions, vehicular output, and construction dust. Cities including Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot feature prominently on the list of the 15 most polluted urban centers in Central and South Asia.
Annual pollution levels have particularly worsened in provinces including Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore when compared to 2023, although Karachi has noted a slight improvement in its PM2.5 metrics. Reports indicate that five Pakistani cities exceeded the dangerously high threshold of 200 μg/m³ in PM2.5 levels during November 2023.
A concerning survey by Ipsos projects that about 70% of the populace in Pakistan has experienced health complications linked to smog, prompting urgent calls from environmental experts for government intervention and policy reform to combat the crisis and safeguard public health.
Pakistan’s alarming status as the third most polluted country underscores the urgent need for effective environmental policies. The widespread health issues affecting approximately 70% of the population highlight the gravity of the smog crisis. Continuous monitoring and proactive measures are essential to mitigate pollution levels and protect the health and well-being of citizens.
Original Source: www.republicworld.com
