Pollution in Pakistan: A Growing Threat to Health and Environment
Artical By Zainab Batool
Pollution in Pakistan has reached alarming levels, posing a severe threat to public health, damaging the environment, and lowering the quality of life for millions. From smog-filled skies in urban centers to toxic water sources in rural areas, the country is grappling with multiple forms of pollution—air, water, land, noise, and light. Among them, air pollution has emerged as the most critical and deadly.
In cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Faisalabad, air quality regularly exceeds safe limits. According to IQAir’s World Air Quality Report, Lahore was frequently ranked among the most polluted cities in the world between 2021 and 2024. The city recorded PM2.5 levels above 300 µg/m³, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended safe level of 15 µg/m³. This level of air pollution is not just a number; it translates into severe respiratory issues, cardiovascular diseases, and increased mortality.
The World Bank estimates that around 22,000 people die prematurely each year in Pakistan due to air pollution. The main culprits include vehicle emissions, industrial waste, burning of fossil fuels, crop residue burning, and emissions from thousands of brick kilns. The absence of a modern and reliable public transport system has pushed more people toward private vehicles, further choking the air in urban areas.
Equally alarming is water pollution. According to a 2023 study by the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), 61% of water samples collected from major cities were unsafe for human consumption. Contaminated water has become a leading cause of waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and hepatitis, particularly affecting children and marginalized communities. Industrial effluents, untreated sewage, and pesticide-laden agricultural runoff continue to pollute rivers and underground water reserves.
Solid waste management is another persistent problem. Urban centers generate thousands of tons of garbage daily, most of which ends up in open dumps, drains, or is burned—contributing further to both air and land pollution. Karachi alone produces over 12,000 tons of waste every day, with much of it ending up in illegal landfills or dumped into the Arabian Sea, harming marine life and coastal communities.
Meanwhile, noise pollution—caused by traffic, construction, and industrial machinery—is negatively affecting mental health, while light pollution in urban areas disrupts natural cycles and human sleep patterns. On top of these issues, rampant deforestation and unplanned urbanization are reducing Pakistan’s natural capacity to combat pollution.
The effects of pollution extend beyond the environment, becoming a socio-economic challenge. Healthcare costs are rising, agricultural yields are decreasing, and workforce productivity is declining. Climate change and poor enforcement of environmental regulations are exacerbating these problems.
