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Pakistan's Toxic Air: A Smoggy Reality
19 Sep
Summary
- Pakistan faces worst air quality, 13x WHO guideline PM2.5 levels.
- Transport contributes significantly to urban air pollution crisis.
- Tailored, city-specific reforms are vital for lasting solutions.
Pakistan ranked worst globally for air quality in 2025, with PM2.5 concentrations exceeding the WHO guideline by over 13 times. This pollution is linked to approximately 22,000 annual deaths, with Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, and Peshawar identified among the world's most polluted cities.
Research indicates that transport is the principal contributor to Pakistan's urban air pollution crisis. Experts advocate for consistent, city-specific reforms as the key to achieving lasting improvements, moving beyond seasonal emergency measures.
The National Clean Air Policy, approved in 2023, highlights the severity, attributing 235,000 premature deaths annually to air pollution. A comprehensive inventory in December 2025 revealed transport as a major source in cities like Lahore (35%), Rawalpindi-Islamabad (53%), and Peshawar (51%).
Improvements in public transport, such as Peshawar's BRT system and Lahore's Metrobus, are crucial. Pakistan's nationwide adoption of Euro-5 fuel, with a move towards Euro-6 by 2030, faces challenges due to lax emission standard enforcement. Mandatory emission testing is suggested as a significant step forward.
Efforts to renew vehicle fleets, including a scrappage scheme for old vehicles and the National Electric Vehicle Policy 2025-30 aiming for 30% electric vehicle sales by 2030, are underway. Prioritizing public transport infrastructure over new road construction is essential for cleaner air.
