Pakistan ranked third in 2024 World Air Quality Report, behind Chad and Bangladesh. The Democratic Republic of Congo and India followed in fourth and fifth place, respectively. Pakistan experienced record levels of smog last year, particularly in Punjab. Nearly two million people required medical attention due to pollution-related health problems. The report attributed Pakistan’s persistently high pollution levels to multiple sources, including biomass burning, industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, brick kilns, and construction dust. A separate survey by international research firm Ipsos found that around 70% of Pakistan’s population suffered from health issues due to smog. The study noted that five Pakistani cities recorded PM2.5 levels exceeding 200 μg/m³ in November. Compared to 2023, annual pollution levels worsened in cities like Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore, while Karachi’S levels dropped from over 55 micrograms per cubic metre in 2023 to around 46 Micrograms per cubic metre in 2024.