Pakistan remains world's most polluted country despite improvement in PM2.5 levels

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jun, 2026) Pakistan remained the world's most polluted country in 2025 despite a reduction in average particulate matter levels, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26.

The survey, citing the 2025 IQAir World Air Quality Report, stated that Pakistan's population-weighted annual average PM2.5 concentration reached 67.3 micrograms per cubic metre, around thirteen times higher than the World Health Organization guideline.

The report noted that Pakistan was home to four of the world's ten most polluted cities, with Faisalabad recording the country's highest average PM2.5 concentration at 98.8 micrograms per cubic metre.

The survey stated that air pollution continues to pose a major public health challenge, reportedly contributing to nearly 22,000 deaths annually.

To address deteriorating air quality, provincial governments undertook a range of initiatives. In Punjab, the Environmental Protection Agency expanded the Air Quality Monitoring System from three to 51 monitoring stations across the province, with plans to increase the number to 100 by April 2026.

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Punjab also launched Pakistan's first fog cannon fleet, thermal night-vision drone surveillance, anti-stubble burning operations, construction dust control measures, brick kiln reforms based on zig-zag technology and fuel quality testing laboratories.

According to the survey, these interventions contributed to a 13 percent reduction in PM2.5 levels in Lahore.

In Sindh, authorities monitored 37,977 heavy vehicles for emissions and penalized 10,858 vehicles. The province also shut down 218 illegal battery recycling units, removed illegal coal storage sites and enforced environmental controls in industries and brick kilns.

Balochistan also strengthened monitoring of vehicular emissions through targeted inspections and cancelled route permits of vehicles emitting excessive smoke.

The survey said industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, brick kilns, construction dust and other pollution sources continue to drive poor air quality across the country.