ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s two largest metropolitan cities, Lahore and Karachi, have once again found themselves among the top five most polluted cities in the world, raising alarm over worsening air quality and public health risks across the country.
According to real-time global air quality data, Lahore recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 234, placing it in the “very unhealthy” category, while Karachi followed closely behind with an AQI of 182, categorised as “unhealthy.” Both cities now sit alongside New Delhi and Kuwait City on the list of the world’s most polluted urban centres.
The Pollution Crisis
Experts report that Lahore’s concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has soared to 158.8 micrograms per cubic metre — more than 30 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Karachi’s PM2.5 level reached 100 micrograms per cubic metre, roughly 20 times higher than the WHO’s annual guideline.
The toxic haze is being fuelled by a combination of factors including vehicle emissions, industrial smoke, construction dust, stubble burning, and stagnant weather conditions that trap pollutants over urban areas.
Rising Health Concerns
Doctors warn that prolonged exposure to this level of pollution may cause a surge in respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, particularly among children and the elderly. Authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities, use masks, and keep indoor air as clean as possible.
Government Response
Provincial administrations have launched anti-smog operations, including water sprinkling on roads and the deployment of “smog guns” in critical zones. Several industrial units and crop-burning sites have been penalised for violating environmental regulations.
However, environmentalists caution that these short-term measures are insufficient and call for a comprehensive national policy addressing emissions, urban planning, and clean energy adoption.
The inclusion of both Lahore and Karachi in the global pollution rankings underscores a growing environmental emergency that demands immediate, coordinated action.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.