Record-breaking levels of toxic smog choked Pakistan for months in 2024, with Punjab hit hardest. Nearly 2 million people fell ill as pollution levels soared 20 times above safe limits, prompting a health emergency. Tens of millions endured the worst winter smog season in years.
This dire situation earned Pakistan the rank of the third most polluted country in the world, according to the IQAir World Air Quality Report 2024. The report highlights a worsening environmental disaster exacerbated by relentless industrial emissions, vehicle pollution, and seasonal smog.
With a national average PM2.5 concentration of 73.7 µg/m³—unchanged from the previous year—Pakistan’s pollution levels remain among the world’s highest. Cities like Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar saw even higher pollution levels, further intensifying the crisis and its devastating impact on residents’ health.
Air pollution is a “critical threat to both human health and environmental stability, IQAir CEO Frank Hammes said in a news release. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 99% of the world’s population lives in areas that do not meet recommended air quality guideline levels. Air pollution is the second leading global risk factor for death. In 2021, 8.1 million deaths worldwide could be attributed to air pollution, IQAir said.
Most polluted cities in Pakistan
The report highlights that Pakistan ranks second in air pollution within the Central and South Asia region, only behind Bangladesh. Major cities like Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot made it to the list of the 15 most polluted cities in the region.
Twelve cities in Pakistan recorded annual PM2.5 levels more than ten times the WHO guideline of 50 µg/m³. November and December were particularly polluted, with five cities surpassing 200 µg/m³ in November and nine cities exceeding 120 µg/m³ in December. Lahore, the most polluted city, exceeded 100 µg/m³ for the first time since 2018.
Unprecedented smog levels threaten Public Health
In late 2024, the country faced an extraordinary smog season, particularly in the province of Punjab, where the situation reached a critical point. The government declared the rising air pollution a “calamity,” as millions of residents sought medical treatment for health problems triggered by the toxic air. The data revealed that nearly two million Pakistanis were affected by smog-related health issues.
In Lahore, the most polluted city in Pakistan, PM2.5 levels breached the 100 µg/m³ mark for the first time since 2018. According to the IQAir report, Pakistan’s annual average concentration of PM2.5—fine particulate matter harmful to human health—was recorded at 73.7 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³). This is almost 14 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit.
The smog reached such severe levels that the Punjab provincial government declared a “war on smog,” setting up additional air quality monitoring devices and offering subsidies for farmers to prevent crop stubble burning, a key contributor to pollution.
Despite the government’s intervention—such as imposing lockdowns and temporarily closing schools—the situation remained dire. The pollution peaked during festival celebrations, brick kiln emissions, and adverse weather, leading to hazardous air quality. This caused school closures, the shutdown of public spaces, and an increase in hospitalizations due to respiratory issues.
Risha Rashid, a young climate activist from Islamabad, voiced her concerns: “It’s really suffocating. I cannot go out, even if I have exams. It’s not just affecting our physical health but our mental health as well.” Rashid, who said Islamabad is fast becoming “another Lahore”, told AFP that she has launched legal action against the government.
Key Highlights from 2024 World Air Quality Report
- Pakistan is ranked the third most polluted country in 2024, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 73.7 µg/m³, nearly 15 times higher than WHO’s safe limit.
- Pakistan ranks second in air pollution within Central and South Asia, following Bangladesh, and is part of a region with some of the highest pollution levels globally.
- Polluted Cities in Pakistan: Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, and Sialkot are among the 15 most polluted cities in the Central and South Asia region.
- Smog Crisis in Winter 2024: Pakistan endured severe smog during the winter, with cities like Lahore experiencing PM2.5 levels 20 times higher than WHO guidelines for months.
- Lahore’s Air Quality: Lahore’s annual average PM2.5 concentration exceeded 100 µg/m³ for the first time since 2018, marking a severe deterioration in air quality.
- Health Risks: Prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels can lead to respiratory illnesses, heart disease, strokes, and lung cancer, especially affecting children.
Major causes of Air Pollution in Pakistan
Pakistan’s persistent pollution crisis is driven by multiple sources, including biomass burning, industrial activities, vehicular emissions, brick kilns, and construction dust. The main contributors to smog and air pollution in the region are vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, fossil-fuel power plants, waste burning, and coal use in brick kilns.
According to the 2024 Toxic Smog over Pakistan report by the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), several key issues exacerbate the problem. Diesel and petrol in Pakistan contain high levels of sulfur and benzene, significantly contributing to particulate matter emissions. Despite plans for Euro 5 fuel standards since 2008, implementation has been delayed. Smuggled Iranian fuel, accounting for 30-40% of consumption, worsens pollution with high sulfur content and toxic contaminants.
Fuel adulteration also adds to vehicular emissions, releasing harmful pollutants. Additionally, declining natural gas production and the increasing use of smuggled, low-quality LPG further contribute to air pollution. Proposals to convert methane from biomass into clean fuels have been overlooked, missing an opportunity for sustainable energy. The extensive use of imported coal in brick kilns also costs Pakistan billions annually while damaging the environment.
Call for stronger measures to prioritize public health
The 2024 pollution crisis serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for global and local action on air quality.
Despite efforts to combat the crisis, experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the government’s actions. Ahmad Ali Gul, a researcher at Lahore’s University of Management and Technology, emphasized the need for systemic changes: “First, we need to focus on reducing emissions, and then we can talk about how to protect ourselves from smog.”
The government’s response has been mixed. While they have targeted factory emissions and the use of cleaner vehicles, critics argue that the steps taken are insufficient. Frank Hammes, global CEO of the AQI air quality project, highlighted the need for a more robust push toward cleaner fuels. “Switching to a cleaner fuel would give immediate results, we’ve seen it in other countries,” Hammes noted. But it requires “strong central effort to push down sometimes the painful changes that need to be made in order to reduce air pollution,” he added.
While the challenges are immense, there are efforts in place to improve air quality. The government is exploring the possibility of increasing electric vehicle adoption, with a goal of having electric vehicles account for a third of new sales by 2030. However, widespread adoption remains an uphill battle in a country where poverty levels are high, and economic conditions are challenging.
World’s 5 most Polluted Countries in 2024
While Chad topped the list, followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan’s position underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive measures to tackle air quality issues.
- Chad (91.8 µg/m³)
- Bangladesh (78.0 µg/m³)
- Pakistan (73.7 µg/m³)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (58.2 µg/m³)
- India (50.6 µg/m³)
Global key findings from 2024 World Air Quality Report
- Chad tops the Rankings: Chad is the most polluted country globally, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 91.8 µg/m³, more than 18 times higher than the WHO guidelines.
- Global Pollution Crisis: 91.3% of the countries analyzed exceeded WHO’s annual PM2.5 guideline of 5 µg/m³, highlighting a widespread global pollution crisis.
- Only 7 Countries met WHO Standards: Only seven countries—Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland—met WHO’s air quality guidelines.
- Most Polluted City: Byrnihat, India, recorded the highest PM2.5 levels among metropolitan areas in 2024, with an annual average concentration of 128.2 µg/m³.
- Southeast Asia’s Improvement: PM2.5 concentrations decreased in Southeast Asia, although transboundary haze and El Niño conditions remain major challenges.
- Amazon Wildfires: Wildfires in the Amazon rainforest contributed to a significant rise in pollution levels across parts of Latin America, with some cities seeing PM2.5 levels quadruple.
- Oceania’s Clean Air: Oceania remains the cleanest region, with 57% of its cities meeting WHO’s PM2.5 annual guideline of 5 µg/m³.
Key Actions for Governments and Citizens
To tackle the air pollution crisis, governments must enforce stricter emission standards, promote clean energy, and fund renewable projects. Strengthening vehicle and industrial emission limits, prohibiting biomass burning, and expanding air quality monitoring are crucial steps. Citizens can reduce exposure by using air quality apps, wearing masks, and supporting eco-friendly initiatives. Collective action, including better transportation choices and waste reduction, will significantly mitigate air pollution’s harmful effects.
What can governments do?
- Integrate WHO air quality guidelines into future standards.
- Commit to decarbonization and invest in renewable energy projects.
- Expand clean energy use in public transport systems.
- Establish incentive programs for clean vehicles.
- Strengthen emission limits for vehicles and industrial activities.
- Prohibit agricultural and biomass burning.
- Increase the number of government-operated air quality monitoring stations.
- Support responsible forest management and innovative local solutions.
What can citizens do?
- Advocate for air quality projects and support leaders prioritizing environmental health.
- Limit exposure by downloading real-time air quality apps, wearing high-quality masks, and reducing outdoor activities during unhealthy air quality periods.
- Choose eco-friendly alternatives for heating and cooking.
- Improve indoor air quality using air filtration and purification systems.
- Reduce personal pollution footprint by walking, biking, or using public transport, saving energy, and recycling more.