60% of Karachi's, 80% of Lahore's pollution caused by petrol, diesel emissions, claims report

The non-governmental environmental group Climate Action Centre (CAC) has attributed smog in Lahore and other Punjab cities, as well as recent haze in Karachi, to vehicular emissions.

During a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday, CAC Director Yasir Hussain stated that vehicle emissions, particularly from petrol and diesel, are primary contributors to pollution levels in these cities, accounting for 60% of pollution in Karachi and 80% in Lahore.

Hussain countered the prevailing view that smog in Punjab, particularly in Lahore, is mainly due to crop residue burning in India.

“Our research indicates that local fuel burning is a significant factor in these pollution levels,” he said, noting that pollution in Pakistan currently exceeds World Health Organization (WHO) safety limits by 40%. “The average lifespan in Pakistan has dropped by four years due to air pollution,” he added.

He highlighted alarming figures from this year, stating that Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 1,700, while Multan’s AQI spiked to 2,400, with pollution contributing to approximately 100,000 deaths annually in Pakistan.

Hussain argued that temporary "green lockdowns" are insufficient to combat Pakistan's air pollution crisis. “Shifting to electric cars, creating vehicle-free zones, and adopting solar energy for power are critical steps. Tackling air pollution requires a comprehensive national strategy,” he concluded.