Karachi, Lahore rank among world’s most polluted cities

Lahore ranks as the world's most polluted city with an AQI of 354, while Karachi was the 13th spot with 164.

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Karachi and Lahore are among the world's most polluted cities, according to IQAir's latest Air Quality Index (AQI) rankings, a leading global air quality monitoring service.

Both cities have been grappling with severe air pollution, putting public health at risk.

Lahore has emerged as the most polluted city globally, with an AQI of 354, categorised as "Hazardous" for residents.

The city, home to over 11 million people, has long faced air quality challenges, with vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and crop burning contributing significantly to the toxic air.

As a result, citizens have experienced worsened respiratory issues, including asthma and other pulmonary diseases, especially during the colder months when the smog is at its worst.

18,86,586 people have fallen ill in the last month due to smog, of which 129,229 patients have gone to hospitals due to respiratory diseases.

At the same time, 6,100,153 have presented with cardiothoracic diseases. Similarly, over 69,399 patients were reported each day with breathing issues, chest pain or stroke arising as a result of smog.

Not far behind, Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, has earned the 13th spot on the list with an AQI of 164, falling under the "Unhealthy" category.

With its bustling port, heavy traffic, and industrial zones, Karachi has struggled with pollution levels that endanger the environment and public health.

Despite ongoing efforts to combat air pollution, the city's air quality continues to deteriorate, posing significant risks to its residents, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions.

Previously, the non-governmental environmental group Climate Action Centre (CAC) has attributed smog in Lahore and other Punjab cities and the 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, mainly from petrol and diesel, are primary contributors to pollution levels in these cities, accounting for 60% of pollution in Karachi and 80% in Lahore.

Meanwhile, the measles outbreak in winter has sparked concerns among health experts.

Characterised by telltale symptoms such as runny nose, fever, cough, red eyes, and skin rashes, measles can prove deadly for vulnerable children who are malnourished, immunocompromised, or unvaccinated.

Doctors warned that the contagious disease rapidly spread from one child to another. Parents should vaccinate their children against measles between nine months and one and a half years to protect them from this contagious disease.