Karachi, Pakistan’s financial hub, has been ranked the world’s most polluted city due to deteriorating air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) measured by Swiss air quality monitor IQAir recorded a “very unhealthy” value of 237 on Tuesday morning.
The concentration of PM2.5 pollutants, fine particles that can penetrate the bloodstream when inhaled, was measured at 162 µg/m³, exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) safety guidelines by 32.4 times.
The cold weather has exacerbated the situation, as lower temperatures trap dust and pollutants near the ground. Karachi’s minimum temperature was recorded at 10.5°C, with the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasting a range of 9°C to 11°C over the next 24 hours. Maximum temperatures are expected to range from 25°C to 27°C, with humidity at 41% and winds blowing at 8–10 km/h from the northeast.
Other cities also face poor air quality during winter. Lahore, ranked fifth globally, has an AQI of 194, categorized as “unhealthy.” Dhaka, Bangladesh (210), Wuhan, China (208), and Delhi, India (204), also rank high on the list.
The smog crisis is attributed to emissions from low-grade fuel used by factories and vehicles, compounded by crop burning by farmers. Seasonal wind patterns and cooler temperatures exacerbate air pollution across Pakistan, including Karachi and Punjab.
Prolonged exposure to polluted air poses severe health risks, including strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory conditions, as highlighted by the WHO.
