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December 2024 marked the most polluted month in Islamabad since 2018, with hazardous levels of smog and particulate matter.
On December 22, the AQI reached 250, making the air quality unhealthy. Rapid urbanization, a surge in vehicle numbers, and industrial emissions have severely affected the city’s once pristine environment.
Over a million vehicles have been registered in the past decade, adding to the pollution. Additionally, brick kilns and steel factories contribute to the rising levels of dust and smoke.
Temperature inversion and fog during winter further worsen the situation, leading to a significant air quality crisis.
