At least 128,000 deaths are reported in Pakistan every year due to toxic smog, mainly driven by fossil fuel use for power, industry and transport. The country’s major cities produce large amounts of smoke, haze, and dangerous smog, which negatively affect the people living there. The sources of air pollution, including vehicular emissions, industrial activities, agricultural practices such as open burning, and seasonal factors, have led to a multitude of health challenges for the population. Pakistan heavily relies on fossil fuels, including gas, oil, and coal, which make up 86% of its energy consumption in 2021. Due to a lack of renewable energy sources and insufficient domestic production of fossil fuels, the country is heavily dependent on imports, leading to significant carbon dioxide emissions. Further, the farmers in Pakistan burning leftover rice crops contribute to 20% of the country’s severe air pollution by releasing CO2 emissions.
Pakistan ranks fourth most polluted country in the world. In terms of mortality attributable to air pollution, it claims an annual loss of 11 million lives. The air pollution in Pakistan is a matter of great concern, as the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeds the air quality guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) by 14.2 times. (PM2.5 levels should not exceed 5 µg/m3, and the average daily exposure should not surpass 15 µg/m3 for only a few days each year). Between 1998 and 2021, the average annual particulate pollution in Pakistan saw an alarming increase of almost 50%, resulting in a decrease of 1.5 years in life expectancy.
Annual average PM2.5 concentration in Pakistan, 1998-2021, source AQLI, Pakistan Fact Sheet
According to environmental assessments, The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) places Pakistan at a concerning 176 out of 180 countries regarding air quality. Unfortunately, the high levels of PM2.5 in the air are significantly reducing the average life expectancy of Pakistani residents by nearly 4 years compared to what it would be if adhered to the WHO guidelines. The impact on life expectancy is substantial, with individuals in Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa anticipating a decrease in average life expectancy by 3.7 to 4.6 years if pollution levels remain unchanged. Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Peshawar, experience such severe air pollution that it reduces life expectancy by nearly 7 years. Lahore ranks as the city with the worst air quality globally, closely followed by Delhi and Karachi. The concentration of PM2.5 particulate matter in Lahore exceeds the WHO annual air quality guideline by over 15 times, according to World Bank data especially during winter and autumn seasons. The toxic air has led to a surge in health issues among residents, with complaints ranging from respiratory problems and eye infections to skin diseases. The severity prompts some individuals to leave the city in an attempt to escape the hazardous smog.
Air pollution is the second greatest threat to human health in Pakistan behind Cardiovascular diseases. Exposure to air pollution, like breathing in outdoor particulate matter (PM2.5) and household air pollution (HAP), has been connected to more trips to the hospital, disability, and even premature death from respiratory illnesses, heart problems, strokes, lung cancer, and diabetes. According to the WHO Global Health Observatory, indoor air pollution is believed to cause about 30 deaths per 100,000, while outdoor air pollution is associated with about 25 deaths per 100,000 in Pakistan. Furthermore, indoor pollution is linked to 40 million cases of acute respiratory infections and 28,000 deaths annually. The use of solid fuels for cooking and heating in households has been linked to respiratory problems, particularly affecting women and children. The outdoor air pollution in Pakistan leads to approximately 22,000 premature adult deaths and 163,432 DALYs lost each year. Outdoor air pollution has been associated with emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood, highlighting the pervasive impact of air pollution on mental health as well.
The economic toll of air pollution on Pakistan is substantial, estimated to be 47.8 billion US dollars or 5.88% of GDP. The economic costs of air pollution include missed workdays and additional health expenses. Efforts to address air pollution in Pakistan have included the development of a national clean air plan has been announced, the implementation of policy options to mitigate the disproportionate impact of air pollution on the health and productivity of the poor, and the use of air pollutant inventories to inform clean air planning, but progress is unclear. Recent efforts, some of which are mandated through official sources, have been focused on control of emissions from brick kilns, agricultural burning, and industry. Pakistan lacks a coordinated national action plan on air pollution, although air quality is broadly addressed within the Pakistan Environmental Protection Act. The country still relies on Euro-II vehicle emissions norms, and emissions from large as well as smaller, informal industries are not regulated. Despite these efforts, the challenge persists, exacerbated by limited air quality monitors and air quality monitoring network. Official real-time monitoring by the Pakistan government is lacking, emphasizing the need for collaboration with other nations, such as China, to improve monitoring capabilities. Urgent action is imperative to curb the alarming statistics, including an estimated 56,100 deaths per year from indoor and outdoor air pollution combined in Pakistan (UNEP, N. D.).The air pollution levels in Pakistan have been a cause for significant concern, with efforts being made to develop comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impact of air pollution on public health and the environment. Addressing the sources of air pollution and implementing sustainable solutions are crucial to improving air quality and safeguarding the well-being of the population in Pakistan.
