Environmental pollution crisis in Pakistan

Pollution is a major crisis in Pakistan, with severe impacts on health, biodiversity, and the economy. Some of the primary types of pollution affecting the country include air pollution. The sources of this pollution are industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, crop burning, and dust from construction activities. The impact of this pollution is very damaging. Pakistan’s air quality, particularly in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad, often exceeds the World Health Organization’s safe limits. Poor air quality has led to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and increased mortality rates. According to the World Bank statistics, Pakistan has one of the highest levels of air pollution in the world. In 2021, the air quality index in some cities reached hazardous levels, with PM2.5 (particulate matter) concentrations well beyond safe limits. Water pollution is also affecting the country badly. The sources of this kind of pollution are industrial discharge, untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and plastic waste. The impact of this type of pollution is contaminating many rivers, lakes, and even groundwater sources, affecting drinking water quality. This leads to waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, which contribute to a high mortality rate. Our dear homeland faces several challenges. Pakistan’s water treatment infrastructure is often outdated or insufficient, making it difficult to address these issues. The third kind of pollution is plastic pollution. The sources of this kind of pollution are single-use plastics, packaging waste, and improper disposal methods. The impact of this kind of pollution is also very harmful.  The accumulation of plastic waste in landfills and water bodies has become a major environmental concern. Plastics harm wildlife and ecosystems and contribute to the overall degradation of the environment. Of course, a few initiatives were taken as some cities like Karachi have implemented bans on plastic bags, but enforcement remains a challenge. The causes of deforestation are overharvesting of timber, illegal logging, urbanization, and the expansion of agriculture. The impact of deforestation leads to soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity, and contributes to climate change. Pakistan’s forest cover is alarmingly low, with only about 2.5% of the land area covered by forests compared to a global average of 31%. Climate change and its impact have been quite detrimental. Pakistan is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including more frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, and floods. Changes in monsoon patterns are also causing irregular water availability. Flooding is also very destructive. The 2010 floods, which displaced millions of people, highlighted the country’s vulnerability to extreme weather events, a trend that has only intensified in recent years. The causes of soil degradation are overuse of chemical fertilizers, improper irrigation practices, and deforestation. The impact has been soil erosion and the loss of fertile land which are contributing to decreased agricultural productivity and food security. There have been various efforts by the government and community to combat environmental pollution. There are laws and regulations. Pakistan has established regulations like the Environmental Protection Act, but enforcement is often weak. Green initiatives have also been taken. Programs such as the Billion Tree Tsunami in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have helped to plant trees and increase forest cover. Public awareness is very significant in this regard.  Environmental organizations and media campaigns are slowly raising awareness about pollution and its consequences, but much more needs to be done. Addressing the environmental pollution crisis in Pakistan requires coordinated efforts between government bodies, civil society, and the private sector, alongside increased investment in infrastructure, waste management, and cleaner technologies as this is an important cause. Clean air is essential for our health, the environment, and future generations. We should be working on a specific initiative, and look for ways to get involved in the fight for cleaner air.