Pakistan has been ranked as the third most polluted country in the world in 2024, as it endured an unprecedented smog season, according to the annual World Air Quality Report published by Swiss air technology company IQAir. Chad topped the list, followed by Bangladesh, with Pakistan securing the third spot due to its persistently high pollution levels.
Severe Smog Crisis in Punjab
The country faced record-breaking smog levels, particularly in Punjab, where the situation was declared a “calamity.” The hazardous air quality forced around two million people to seek medical treatment for respiratory and other health-related issues. In response, the government imposed lockdowns and closed schools in an attempt to mitigate the impact of air pollution.
Air Pollution Statistics and Rankings
According to the IQAir report, Pakistan’s annual average concentration of PM2.5—fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter—was recorded at 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³), nearly 15 times higher than the safe levels established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite the record smog, Pakistan’s average air pollution levels remained unchanged from 2023.
In the Central and South Asia region, Pakistan ranked as the second most polluted country, just behind Bangladesh. Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot were among the 15 most polluted cities in the region, highlighting the severity of air pollution in urban centers.
Causes of Pollution
The report identified several key contributors to Pakistan’s air pollution crisis, including:
- Biomass burning
- Industrial emissions
- Vehicular pollution
- Brick kilns
- Construction dust
These factors, combined with unfavorable weather conditions, led to a significant deterioration in air quality across major cities.
City-wise Pollution Trends
The report revealed that air pollution levels worsened in cities such as Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore compared to the previous year. Faisalabad saw a negligible increase, while Karachi showed improvement, with PM2.5 levels decreasing from over 55 µg/m³ in 2023 to around 46 µg/m³ in 2024.
However, five Pakistani cities recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding 200 µg/m³ during November, demonstrating the severity of seasonal smog.
Global and Regional Comparisons
- Chad recorded PM2.5 levels 18 times higher than WHO’s safe limits, making it the most polluted country in 2024.
- India ranked fifth globally, despite an overall improvement in its air quality.
- Bangladesh’s Dhaka ranked as the third most polluted capital city after New Delhi and N’Djamena (Chad).
- India’s Byrnihat was declared the world’s most polluted metropolitan area, with an average PM2.5 reading of 128.2 µg/m³.
Health and Environmental Implications
A report by international insights firm Ipsos revealed that approximately 70% of Pakistan’s population faced health complications due to smog. Air pollution has been linked to various respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, contributing to a significant number of premature deaths globally.
Global Pollution Trends
Despite the grim outlook, there were signs of improvement worldwide. The IQAir report noted that 17% of cities met WHO’s air quality standards in 2024, compared to just 9% in 2023. Meanwhile, Oceania was identified as the world’s cleanest region, with 57% of its cities meeting WHO’s PM2.5 annual guideline values.
Bosnia was reported as the most polluted country in Europe, followed by North Macedonia and Serbia, while Estonia, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Grenada, and Barbados were the only countries with air quality levels within WHO’s recommended limits.
The Way Forward
The growing pollution crisis in Pakistan calls for urgent action. Experts emphasize the need for stricter environmental regulations, increased green energy initiatives, and more effective public awareness campaigns. Without immediate interventions, Pakistan risks further deterioration in air quality, impacting millions of lives and the country’s overall sustainability.
The government and stakeholders must collaborate on long-term solutions to curb pollution levels, ensuring a healthier future for the nation’s citizens.
