Pakistan's Air Pollution: A Crisis Unfolding

Pakistan is one of the most polluted countries in the world, with Lahore, its second-largest city, being home to over 14 million residents and suffering from terrible air pollution. In 2019, Pakistan had a PM2.5 reading of 65.81 μg/m³, which is considered unhealthy and placed the country as the second most polluted in the world. The main causes of air pollution in Pakistan include vehicle emissions, industrialisation, crop burning, and deforestation. In addition, the country's geographical location near highly polluted countries such as India and China also contributes to the poor air quality. Despite some efforts from the government, such as the implementation of public transport projects and reforestation initiatives, the air pollution problem in Pakistan remains a significant issue that requires further attention and effective policies.

Pakistan's air pollution is visible from space

Pakistan's air pollution is so severe that it can be seen from space. NASA satellite images show a thick layer of toxic smog blanketing large parts of the country, with the haze extending into northern India and New Delhi. This smog is a result of multiple factors, including farm fires, vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and dust from the Thar Desert. The Indo-Gangetic Plain's geography traps pollutants near the ground, worsening the situation.

Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab region, is one of the worst-affected areas, with air quality levels frequently exceeding hazardous levels. In November 2024, Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached over 400, and earlier in the month, parts of the city recorded a staggering AQI of more than 1,900. This hazardous air quality has led to the implementation of emergency measures, including school closures, partial lockdowns, and temporary halts to construction activities.

The impact of this toxic smog on the health of Pakistan's population, especially children and pregnant women, is devastating. Over 40,000 people have been treated for respiratory ailments, and hospitals have reported a surge in patients with eye and throat irritation and pink eye disease. UNICEF has warned that the health of over 11 million children in the Punjab region is at risk, and the Pakistani government has taken steps to curb pollution-related illnesses by banning outdoor activities and enforcing early closures for shops and markets.

Pakistan's air pollution is not a new issue. In 2019, the country ranked second among the most polluted countries globally, with a PM2.5 reading of 65.81 μg/m³, which is considered unhealthy. The problem is exacerbated by a lack of green cover and an increase in nitrogen use in agriculture. While there was a slight decline in air pollution levels in 2022, the threat of air contamination persists, and Pakistan remains one of the world's most polluted regions.

The country's policies to address air pollution have been criticized as ineffective and not evidence-based. There is a need for a consistent shift towards cleaner and renewable energy, as well as the implementation of long-term measures such as investing in mass transit infrastructure. The installation of pollution monitors is important, but it is not enough to control pollution; instead, it helps identify hazardous air quality so that temporary solutions can be implemented.

Lahore's air quality is among the world's worst

Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city, is notorious for its poor air quality, consistently ranking among the worst in the world. The city's air pollution is primarily driven by a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial activities, and seasonal agricultural burning.

Lahore's air quality is heavily impacted by emissions from vehicles and factories. In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, a significant improvement in air quality was observed as vehicular traffic came to a halt. However, as soon as the restrictions were lifted, the city's air quickly returned to its previous polluted state. This episode highlighted the detrimental effect of vehicle emissions on Lahore's atmosphere.

Agricultural practices also play a significant role in Lahore's air pollution, particularly during the winter season from October to February. Farmers in the wider Punjab province burn the remnants of crops, releasing smoke that contributes to the dense smog. Simultaneously, weather conditions during this period, known as temperature inversion, trap pollutants in the lower atmosphere, exacerbating the problem.

The burning of crop residue, coupled with emissions from vehicles and industries, results in high levels of particulate matter in Lahore's air. PM2.5, particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, is of particular concern due to its serious health implications. In 2019, Lahore's PM2.5 levels were 6.1 times higher than the World Health Organization's annual guideline value. Exposure to such high levels of pollution can lead to serious health issues for residents, even from brief periods outdoors.

While the Pakistani government has acknowledged the urgency of tackling air pollution, the implementation of effective policies has been lacking. Prime Minister Imran Khan has stated that addressing pollution is a priority, and initiatives like the Punjab Green Development Program aim to reduce emissions from sources like brick kilns. However, as Abid Omar, the founder of the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, pointed out, the current policies are not evidence-based and lack proper implementation.

Lahore's air quality crisis is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. It not only poses significant health risks to its residents but also contributes to Pakistan's struggle with severe environmental degradation and the consequences of climate change.

Poor air quality impacts health and life expectancy

Pakistan is the world's second most polluted country, with a PM2.5 reading of 65.81 μg/m³ in 2019. This reading falls under the 'unhealthy' category, which requires a range of 55.5 to 150.4 μg/m³. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, which is roughly 3% of the size of an average human hair. Due to its incredibly small size, PM2.5 can have very serious health implications on those who inhale it.

Air pollution is the presence of contaminants in the atmosphere, such as dust, fumes, gas, mist, odour, smoke or vapour, in quantities that can be harmful to human health. The main pathway of exposure is through the respiratory tract. Breathing in these pollutants leads to inflammation, oxidative stress, immunosuppression, and mutagenicity in cells throughout the body, impacting the lungs, heart, and brain, among other organs, and ultimately leading to disease. Almost every organ in the body can be impacted by air pollution. Due to their small size, some air pollutants can penetrate into the bloodstream via the lungs and circulate throughout the entire body, leading to systemic inflammation and carcinogenicity.

Fine particulate matter is an especially important source of health risks, as these very small particles can penetrate deep into the lungs, enter the bloodstream, and travel to organs, causing systemic damage to tissues and cells. Health problems in children and adults can occur due to both short- and long-term exposure to air pollutants. The levels and duration of exposure that can be considered 'safe' vary by pollutant and the related disease outcomes. For some pollutants, there are no thresholds below which adverse effects do not occur.

Children, the elderly, and pregnant women are more susceptible to air pollution-related diseases. Genetics, comorbidities, nutrition, and sociodemographic factors also impact a person's susceptibility to air pollution. Maternal exposure to air pollution is associated with adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight, pre-term birth, and small gestational age births. A growing body of evidence also suggests that air pollution may affect diabetes and neurological development in children. People in low-income neighbourhoods and communities may be more vulnerable to air pollution due to proximity to industrial sources of air pollution, underlying health problems, poor nutrition, stress, and other factors.

In Pakistan, where the PM2.5 concentration was 38.9 μg/m³ in 2022, the average resident would gain 3.3 years from meeting the WHO guideline.

Pakistan's policies are ineffective and not evidence-based

Pakistan's air pollution crisis is well-documented, with the country ranking as the third most polluted country in the world. The country's megacities create vast amounts of smoke, haze, and deadly smog, which has severe health implications for its inhabitants. Despite some positive steps taken by the government, Pakistan's policies to combat air pollution have largely been ineffective and criticized for not being evidence-based.

One of the main issues with Pakistan's approach to air pollution is the lack of proper implementation and regulation of climate policy measures. While the country has developed policies such as the 'Policy on Controlling Smog' in 2017 and the Pakistan Clean Air Program, there has been a lack of enforcement and follow-through. The founder of the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI), Abid Omar, has emphasized that the country's policies are not evidence-based and that there is a need to gather evidence on the specific sources and causes of pollution to inform effective policy-making.

Pakistan's transport sector, the largest contributor to urban air pollution, has been a particular area of concern. Vehicular emissions account for a significant portion of total pollution, and while Pakistan's National Clean Air Policy 2023 aims to upgrade fuel quality standards, the success of this initiative depends on strict enforcement. Currently, the country faces challenges with poor fuel quality and inconsistent data, hindering effective policy-making and long-term pollution control.

The country's approach to waste management has also been criticized. Banning crop residue burning without providing viable alternatives has proven ineffective, and Pakistan has yet to invest in modern agricultural waste management systems. Additionally, the government's short-term focus on renewable energy and lack of commitment to a net-zero emissions target have been identified as areas for improvement.

Overall, while Pakistan has made some efforts to address air pollution, the lack of evidence-based policy-making, proper implementation, and comprehensive solutions has resulted in ineffective outcomes. To truly tackle this crisis, Pakistan needs to prioritize data-driven decision-making, strict enforcement of regulations, and long-term, consistent commitment to sustainable practices.

Pakistan's air pollution is worsened by India's crop burning

Pakistan's air pollution is a complex issue influenced by various factors, including industrial emissions, vehicle pollution, and seasonal agricultural practices. One significant contributor to Pakistan's poor air quality is the widespread practice of crop residue burning, particularly during the winter months. This issue is exacerbated by the crop burning activities of neighbouring India, which adversely affects the air quality in border regions of Pakistan.

Crop burning is a common practice among farmers in India and Pakistan, who burn the leftover stalks of harvested crops to quickly and cheaply clear their fields for the next cultivation season. While this practice is illegal, the enforcement of bans and interventions has proven challenging. The burning of crop residues releases large amounts of smoke and particulate matter into the atmosphere, leading to spikes in regional air pollution levels, which can remain elevated for extended periods.

The impact of India's crop burning on Pakistan is significant. During the fall and winter months, when crop burning is at its peak in India, a thick smog often blankets northern India and extends into Pakistan. This smog contains high levels of particulate matter, particularly PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less), which can have serious health implications for those who inhale it. The concentration of PM2.5 in Delhi, India's capital, has been recorded at levels roughly 32 times higher than the World Health Organization's daily exposure target.

The crop burning emissions from India contribute to the already poor air quality in Pakistan, particularly in border regions such as Lahore. Lahore has suffered from severe pollution caused by vehicles and industrial emissions. The additional pollution from crop burning in India further exacerbates the situation, leading to hazardous air quality levels that pose risks to the health of Pakistani citizens, especially children and the elderly.

To address the issue of crop burning and improve air quality, both countries have explored various measures. Pakistan has implemented initiatives like the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI), which aims to gather evidence on the sources and causes of pollution to develop more effective policies. India has also taken steps to curb pollution, including water sprinkling on roads, increasing public transportation, and imposing higher parking fees to discourage car use. However, environmentalists argue that more comprehensive and long-term solutions are needed to effectively mitigate air pollution in the region.

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