Karachi and Lahore are among the most polluted cities in the world, according to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) rankings from IQAir, a leading global air quality monitoring service.
Both cities have been dealing with serious air pollution, putting public health at risk.
Lahore has become the most polluted city in the world, with an AQI of 354, categorized as “dangerous” for residents.
The city, home to more than 11 million people, has long faced air quality challenges, with vehicle emissions, industrial activity and crop burning contributing significantly to toxic air.
As a result, citizens have experienced worsening respiratory problems, including asthma and other lung diseases, especially during the colder months when smog is at its worst.
18,86,586 people have fallen ill in the last month due to smog, of which 129,229 patients have visited hospitals for respiratory illnesses.
In turn, 6,100,153 have presented cardiothoracic diseases. Similarly, each day more than 69,399 patients were reported to have breathing problems, chest pain or stroke as a result of smog.
Not far away, Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, ranked 13th on the list with an AQI of 164, falling into the “Unhealthy” category.
With its bustling port, heavy traffic and industrial zones, Karachi has battled pollution levels that endanger the environment and public health.
Despite ongoing efforts to combat air pollution, the city’s air quality continues to deteriorate, posing significant risks to its residents, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions.
Earlier, non-governmental environmental group Climate Action Center (CAC) attributed the smog in Lahore and other cities of Punjab and the recent haze in Karachi to vehicle emissions.
During a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday, CAC Director Yasir Hussain stated that vehicle emissions, mainly petrol and diesel, are the main contributors to the pollution levels in these cities, accounting for 60% of the pollution in Karachi and 80% in Lahore. .
Meanwhile, the winter measles outbreak has sparked concern among health experts.
Characterized by telltale symptoms such as runny nose, fever, cough, red eyes and skin rashes, measles can be deadly for vulnerable children who are malnourished, immunocompromised or unvaccinated.
Doctors warned that the contagious disease spread quickly from one child to another. Parents should vaccinate their children against measles between nine months and one and a half years to protect them from this contagious disease.
