Pakistan among worst countries for air pollution in 2024

Pakistan ranked in the top five most polluted countries, along with Chad, Bangladesh, DRC, and India.

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Pakistan continues to struggle with severe air pollution, ranking as one of the world’s most smog-affected countries, according to new data released on Tuesday. The country’s air quality is well below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended standards, with hazardous particulate matter (PM2.5) levels significantly exceeding safe limits.

In 2024, Pakistan was ranked among the top five most polluted countries globally, alongside Chad, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India. The average PM2.5 concentration in Pakistan was alarmingly high, far surpassing the WHO’s safe limit of 5 micrograms per cubic metre, which was only met by 17% of global cities last year.

This persistent smog crisis is not only a major health concern but also a setback in the country's efforts to improve air quality. Major urban centres like Lahore and Karachi regularly face intense pollution, especially during winter, when fog and industrial emissions combine to worsen air quality.

Pakistan’s reliance on external monitoring sources has also become a significant challenge.

For years, the US State Department’s air quality sensors, installed at embassy and consulate buildings, provided crucial real-time pollution data for many developing nations, including Pakistan.

However, the US recently ended this monitoring programme, citing budget constraints. This has left countries like Pakistan vulnerable to gaps in pollution data, making future efforts to combat smog more difficult.

Christi Chester-Schroeder, air quality science manager at IQAir, highlighted the impact on countries like Pakistan, where these monitoring stations were often the sole source of real-time air quality information. “The loss of these monitoring stations is a major blow to efforts in regions where pollution data is sparse,” she said.

As global pollution levels rise, climate change is intensifying the situation. Higher temperatures are leading to longer, more severe forest fires, particularly in parts of South East Asia and South America, which further worsen air quality.

The closure of the US air quality programme could affect at least 34 countries, including Pakistan, with a substantial loss of reliable pollution data. Christa Hasenkopf, director of the Clean Air Program at the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute, described the move as a significant setback. “It’s a giant blow to air quality efforts worldwide,” she stated.

With climate change worsening pollution and the loss of key monitoring tools, Pakistan faces an increasingly difficult battle against its smog crisis. The need for reliable air quality data and stronger pollution control measures has never been more urgent.