his year, Pakistan faced a worsening air pollution crisis, profoundly affecting public health, economic productivity and quality of life. Urban centres, especially in the Punjab, experienced record-breaking levels of smog and air pollution, elevating the issue to a critical point in public discourse and policy deliberations. Despite various mitigation efforts, the severity of the crisis persisted, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive and systemic interventions to address the root causes of deteriorating air quality.

Lahore consistently ranked among the most polluted cities worldwide, with Air Quality Index levels frequently surpassing 1,000 – well beyond the ‘hazardous’ threshold. Other major urban centres, such as Faisalabad, Gujranwala and Karachi, also faced critically high concentrations of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and other pollutants. The extreme pollution levels were primarily driven by vehicular emissions, industrial activities, crop residue burning and construction dust. The problem was exacerbated by adverse meteorological conditions during the winter months. Government efforts predominantly targeted stubble burning and emissions from brick kilns. Larger sources such as vehicular and industrial emissions received less attention. The open burning of hospital and domestic waste remained an overlooked issue throughout the year.

The air pollution crisis in Pakistan presents severe health risks, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. The UNICEF reports that in the Punjab, over 11 million children under the age of five are exposed to toxic air, resulting in a surge in respiratory infections, asthma and other chronic health conditions. Healthcare facilities observe a marked increase in admissions for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases during the smog season. Prolonged exposure to hazardous air exacerbates non-communicable diseases, reduces life expectancy and places a significant strain on the nation’s already overburdened healthcare system.

The economic ramifications of air pollution in Pakistan are far-reaching and severe. Reduced visibility and hazardous air quality disrupt transportation systems, impede industrial productivity and force frequent school closures, undermining educational progress. The loss of workforce productivity due to health-related absences, coupled with the escalating economic burden of healthcare expenses, is estimated to result in annual costs of billions of dollars. Furthermore, agriculture – a vital pillar of Pakistan’s economy – suffers significantly, as smog diminishes sunlight and hampers crop growth during critical developmental stages, exacerbating food security challenges and economic instability.

Air pollution monitoring in Pakistan has been largely neglected. There are significant gaps in public sector involvement. Private data providers dominate the discourse, often capturing attention with their limited datasets. The few available air quality monitoring stations are concentrated in high-traffic areas, providing a narrow perspective on pollution levels. Nationwide, the number of air quality monitors remains insufficient to generate comprehensive and accurate data. However, existing data, though limited, is adequate to inform and drive immediate policy and mitigation actions.

In 2024, the Punjab government implemented several initiatives to address the escalating air pollution crisis. One of the key measures was the establishment of a Smog War Room, a centralised command centre for real-time pollution monitoring and enforcement of regulatory actions. To safeguard public health during peak smog episodes, temporary bans on construction activities were enacted; educational institutions were closed; and the use of face masks in public spaces was mandated to mitigate exposure to harmful pollutants. There was a ban also on barbecues, an insignificant contributor. The government also tried to use artificial rain, which also contributes to pollution.

A cornerstone of these efforts was the Punjab Clean Air Programme, approved in 2024 with a proposed $300 million financing package from the World Bank. The PCAP aims to tackle the root causes of air pollution through transformative measures, including transitioning to cleaner energy sources; upgrading public transportation infrastructure; and encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. The programme also prioritises public awareness campaigns to promote behavioural changes that reduce individual contributions to air pollution, fostering a collective approach to cleaner air. However, the programme largely ignores waste burning, technical innovation in industry as well as private housing societies. Also, this programme is only for the Punjab although other provinces too have a poor air quality problem, particularly in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar.

A major challenge in the failure to address the air pollution issue in 2024 is governance. Governments failed to increase manpower in related institutions to monitor vehicles and issue fitness certificates. The institutions also lacked powers to hold industries accountable for exceeding air pollutant levels.

The measures implemented to address air pollution were insufficient and reactive. A proactive approach, necessary for sustainable impact, was lacking. Weak enforcement of environmental regulations allowed industrial polluters and violators of vehicular emission standards to evade accountability. Crop residue burning, a significant contributor to smog, remained prevalent due to the absence of affordable and accessible alternatives for farmers and limited governmental support to facilitate a transition.

Additionally, the lack of coordination between federal and provincial authorities undermined the development and execution of comprehensive air quality management strategies. Public awareness campaigns, while well-intentioned, struggled to engage rural communities, where traditional practices such as open burning persisted.

Some international organisations were instrumental in addressing Pakistan’s air pollution crisis. The World Bank’s financial and technical backing for the Punjab Clean Air Programme provided essential resources to implement a systematic approach to pollution mitigation. Furthermore, cooperation with neighbouring countries became increasingly important, as cross-border pollution, particularly from India’s crop residue burning, contributed significantly to smog in Pakistan’s border regions. Bilateral dialogue focused on adopting collaborative strategies to mitigate transboundary pollution became essential.

A significant milestone in 2024 was the regional roundtable held at COP29 at Pakistan’s pavilion, where environmental experts from India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan convened to discuss opportunities for regional collaboration on air pollution mitigation. The initiative spearheaded by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute and the Climate Action Network South Asia from the civil society sector, was provided political leadership by Romina Khursheed Alam, coordinator to the prime minister on climate change. The participants reached consensus on fostering regional cooperation through joint research, exchange of best practices and coordinated efforts to engage policymakers. Recognising that air pollution transcends national boundaries, the roundtable emphasised the importance of a united approach to tackle this shared environmental and public health challenge.

The year marked a turning point in raising awareness and initiating action against air pollution in Pakistan. Achieving cleaner air remains a formidable challenge, necessitating a comprehensive and integrated approach. This includes rigorous enforcement of environmental regulations, fostering technological advancements and actively involving communities in mitigation efforts. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, expanding urban green spaces and modernising agricultural practices are essential measures for achieving sustainable improvements in air quality.

Incorporating air quality considerations into urban planning and industrial policies is critical to prevent future crises. Strengthening institutional capacities, promoting public-private partnerships and enhancing regional cooperation will further bolster efforts toward long-term success.

In summary, Pakistan’s air pollution crisis in 2024 underscored the urgent need for coordinated, sustained and transformative actions to address one of the country’s most pressing environmental and public health challenges. While some progress has been made, the journey towards clean and breathable air for all will require persistent commitment and strategic interventions in the years ahead.

The writer is an environmental expert based in the US. She is a PhD scholar at the University of Vermont, US, and a visiting senior research associate at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute