Pakistan has been ranked the third most polluted country in 2024, facing a severe smog crisis that affects public health. The World Air Quality Report indicated that PM2.5 levels in Pakistan reached alarming concentrations. Approximately 70% of the population reported health issues due to smog, prompting calls for urgent policy action.
In a recent assessment, Pakistan has been identified as the third most polluted country globally in 2024, amidst an escalating smog crisis that significantly threatens public health. This alarming situation was revealed in the 2024 World Air Quality Report, which ranks Pakistan behind Chad and Bangladesh in terms of pollution severity, with the Democratic Republic of Congo and India following in the rankings.
The report disclosed that Pakistan’s average concentration of PM2.5, a harmful fine particulate matter, stood at 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³), which is nearly 15 times above the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit. This pollution crisis has led to a state of emergency, particularly in Punjab, where authorities acknowledged the significant health implications faced by the population.
Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar emerged as some of the most severely affected cities. In total, millions required medical intervention due to pollution-related ailments. Despite the significant health implications, the overall air quality did not improve from the previous year, prompting the government to implement drastic measures, including lockdowns and school closures in the most impacted areas.
Comparatively, Pakistan ranked second in pollution levels within Central and South Asia, trailing only behind Bangladesh. The contributing factors to Pakistan’s high pollution levels include biomass burning, industrial waste emissions, vehicle pollution, and dust from construction activities.
In a particularly distressing finding, a survey conducted by Ipsos indicated that approximately 70% of the population is experiencing health problems related to smog. This surge in pollution levels has raised urgent calls from environmental experts for swift policy intervention to combat the deteriorating air quality and safeguard public health.
In summary, Pakistan’s air quality crisis has reached severe levels, as evidenced by its ranking as the third most polluted country globally. The health implications are dire, with a significant portion of the population suffering from pollution-related illnesses. Immediate and effective policy responses are essential to address this growing challenge and protect public health from the ongoing crisis.
Original Source: www.republicworld.com
