In a city that never stops, greenery is becoming a rare sight. Karachi’s rapid urbanisation has replaced trees and parks with concrete, leaving residents exposed to dust, smog and polluted air. The lack of green spaces is not just a cosmetic problem; it has serious consequences for those of us who live here.
Air quality in Karachi is alarming. In September 2025, the city’s Air Quality Index reached 193, classifying it as unhealthy. Dust and vehicle emissions are trapped by the absence of trees, affecting millions of residents. Children, the elderly, and those with lung conditions struggle with asthma, bronchitis and other respiratory illnesses. Even short walks outside feel dangerous when the air makes it hard to breathe.
The city’s few parks are overcrowded, poorly maintained or inaccessible to many neighbourhoods. Without green areas to absorb dust, filter air and provide shade, daily life becomes a struggle. We are often forced to stay indoors, losing not only exercise and fresh air but also relief from the constant stress and noise of the city.
Beyond personal health, the lack of greenery affects community life. Parks are meant to be places to relax, socialise and escape, yet urban planning has prioritised buildings over public spaces. The result is a city that feels both polluted and crowded.
We try to cope, but resilience cannot replace clean air or the benefits of greenery. Authorities and city planners must urgently prioritise planting trees, creating parks and improving urban green spaces. Without immediate action, the air will worsen, health problems will increase and future generations will lose the simple relief that nature should provide.
Until then, every step in Karachi’s concrete landscape comes with a cost. Every breath carries dust, every moment outside carries stress and every day reminds us of what the city has lost.
Amna Rehman
Karachi
