• PAQI report analyses data from 13 newly installed air quality monitors
• Experts stress need for more scientific efforts to monitor pollution and its effects

KARACHI: The city of Karachi produces over 394 kilotons of emissions in the atmosphere, with industry contributing 49 per cent and transport 33pc of the particulate matter (PM2.5), a report says.

Prepared by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI), the report — Unveiling Karachi’s Air — A Scientific Foundation for a Clean Air City — highlights that Karachi’s atmosphere is burdened by a substantial load of pollutants, with annual emissions estimated at 39.11 kilotons of PM2.5, 52 kilotons of sulphur dioxide, 100.78 kilotons of nitrogen oxides, and 203.41 kilotons of carbon monoxide — resulting in per capita PM2.5 emissions of approximately 1.86 kilograms each year.

The report was launched at an event held at the Institute of Business Administration on Tuesday by the PAQI with support from the Karachi Urban Lab and Bank Alfalah.

Data from 13 newly installed air quality monitors across high-density zones such as Saddar, Korangi, Gadap, North Nazimabad and Clifton revealed that power generation contributed 30 per cent of sulphur dioxide emissions, while residential emissions remained negligible due to the city’s warmer climate.

The report mentions that despite challenges, the city’s coastal location offers some respite, as natural sea breeze circulation aids in pollutant dispersion — though background levels remain elevated due to marine salt and desert dust.

It also finds that heavy reliance on diesel vehicles — used at the port and for industrial operations — contributes 80pc of nitrogen oxide emissions, while power generation facilities are a major source of sulphur dioxide emission, mainly due to the use of coal and high-sulphur fuel oil in power plants with limited emission controls.

The report recommends that industrial emission controls, regulation of heavy-duty vehicles, interventions in port and shipping activities, and enhanced governance and monitoring measures could reduce urban PM2.5 emissions by up to 50pc.

Later, at a panel discussion, Afia Salam, environmental journalist, said that she found some key recommendations missing in the report — particularly those related to green cover, which is essential for absorbing emissions and something the city has lost over time due to various reasons, including “unplanned” development.

She further stated that if one takes a bird’s eye view of Karachi today, it appears to be a concrete jungle. “Not only that, the hinterland, which once consisted of creeks that played a role in absorbing emissions, no longer exists. Areas like Malir’s greenery are gone, replaced by developments such as Bahria Town, DHA City, and Kathore,” she said.

Ms Salam said that for World Environment Day, she had been receiving invitations for plantation drives, but one thing needed to be understood that this was not the right season for planting saplings.

Responding to a query as to how air quality monitoring could improve understanding of pollution in a city, that is home to 30 million people, Abid Omer, founder of the PAQI, said that measuring industrial, landfill, or other specific emissions is different from monitoring general air quality.

He stressed that monitoring stations are needed at a large scale to assess Karachi’s air quality accurately.

“Monitoring is essential,” he said. “Otherwise, you may launch a green cover drive and plant billions of trees, but without proper measurement, you won’t know the actual impact or cost.” Citing an example, he said that in the 1990s, Mexico City was among the most polluted cities in North America, but authorities took initiatives such as changing traffic timings to reduce emissions. He added that it is important to assess the actual costs and outcomes of such measures.

Environmental expert Nazish Shekha said that the current measurements being taken focus on individual pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and PM2.5, which provide only a general assessment of air quality. “What we need to understand is how this cocktail of pollutants interacts and reacts together,” she said.

Dr Meesha Tanveer, lecturer at the Dow University, said that PM2.5 is the most dangerous particulate matter as it can penetrate into the bloodstream, potentially causing respiratory diseases and infections, including persistent coughing and sinus issues.

She added that the report also mentioned that the concentration of PM2.5 has increased significantly beyond the standard levels.

Criticising the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa), environmental expert Yasir Hussain said he had rejected the earlier proposal outlined in the Karachi Climate Action Plan.

He expressed the hope that the new proposal — in which he is also involved — would be an improvement over the previous one.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2025