Pakistan Ranks Third in Global Pollution as Smog Crisis Escalates in 2024
In 2024, Pakistan is ranked as the third most polluted country worldwide, primarily due to a severe smog crisis affecting public health. Key cities like Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar are particularly impacted, with a significant portion of the population experiencing health issues linked to pollution. The World Air Quality Report indicates alarming PM2.5 levels, prompting calls for urgent policy action to address the crisis.
In 2024, Pakistan has been highlighted as the third most polluted country globally due to an alarming smog crisis that poses severe risks to public health. According to the recent World Air Quality Report, urban areas such as Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar were particularly affected, leading around 70% of the population to report health complications attributed to smog, which has incited calls for immediate policy reforms.
The World Air Quality Report, produced by the Swiss air technology company IQAir, places Pakistan behind Chad and Bangladesh in terms of pollution, while the Democratic Republic of Congo and India follow in fourth and fifth places, respectively. The report indicated that Pakistan recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 73.7 µg/m³, which is nearly 15 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s recommended safe threshold.
The smog crisis reached dire levels in 2023, primarily affecting Punjab, prompting authorities to declare it a “calamity.” Medical facilities have reported nearly two million cases associated with pollution-related health issues, leading the government to implement lockdowns and close schools in the most impacted regions. Despite worsening conditions, overall air pollution levels in the country remained static compared to the previous year.
Among South Asian countries, Pakistan ranked second in pollution levels, following Bangladesh, with major cities like Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot listed among the region’s 15 most polluted locations. Key contributors to these high pollution levels include biomass burning, industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, and dust from construction.
Pollution levels in cities like Peshawar, Islamabad, and Lahore deteriorated compared to 2023, while Faisalabad experienced a minor increase in pollution. Conversely, Karachi saw some improvement, with PM2.5 concentrations decreasing from above 55 µg/m³ to approximately 46 µg/m³ in 2024. Alarmingly, five cities exceeded PM2.5 levels of 200 µg/m³ in November 2023, illustrating hazardous air quality conditions.
A survey by Ipsos highlighted that roughly 70% of the nation’s population faces health challenges due to smog. The ongoing rise in pollution has prompted environmental specialists to urge swift and effective policy measures to alleviate the air quality crisis and safeguard public health.
Pakistan’s ranking as the third most polluted country in 2024 underscores the urgent need for effective policy action to address the country’s deteriorating air quality. With significant health impacts reported among the population and persistent pollution in major cities, it is imperative for the government to implement strategies that target the root causes of this crisis to protect public health and improve environmental conditions. Without immediate intervention, the public health risks associated with smog will only escalate further.
Original Source: www.republicworld.com
