83% of air pollution in Lahore is caused by the transport sector: report

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Vehicles drive amid thick smog in Lahore, Pakistan, November 24, 2021. — Reuters/File
Vehicles drive amid thick smog in Lahore, Pakistan, November 24, 2021. — Reuters/File
  • Number of registered vehicles in Lahore is rising at an alarming rate.
  • Residents would gain 6.8 years in average life expectancy if WHO guidelines are met.
  • IQAir ranked Pakistan as the 3rd most polluted country in regards to air quality.

More than 80% of Lahore’s pollution stems from the transport sector, the Urban Unit of the Department of Planning and Development of Punjab has revealed in its report.

The report titled Sectoral Emissions Inventory of Lahore represents the first district-level effort in Punjab province to measure air pollutants from human activities in six development sectors.

According to the report, the main sources of pollution in Lahore are transportation – which accounts for 83% of emissions – industry, agriculture, open waste incineration and inefficient fuel use in commercial and domestic sectors.

“The number of registered vehicles in Lahore has been increasing at an alarming rate, with a surge in the number of two-stroke vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters and auto rickshaws.”

However, the report acknowledged that vehicle figures may be an overestimate as anecdotal evidence suggests that most vehicles are registered in the Punjab province of Lahore.

Burning of crop residues contributes 3.9%, while waste – which is a common practice in Lahore’s suburbs – accounts for 3.6%.

A chart showing Lahore's emissions inventory.  — Report/Sectoral Emissions Inventory of Lahore
A chart showing Lahore’s emissions inventory. — Report/Sectoral Emissions Inventory of Lahore

In addition, according to the report, emissions from the industrial (9%), household (0.11%) and commercial (0.14%) sectors are mainly caused by the consumption of inefficient fuels such as coal and diesel oil.

Health consequences

The report stated that the study of sectoral emissions found that “the concentration of pollutants in Lahore’s ambient air is significantly above the defined limits of PEQs”.

Air pollution is also currently regarded as the worst form of pollution affecting the people of Lahore.

“According to the Air Quality Life Index Fact Sheet for Pakistan, residents of Lahore would gain 6.8 years in average life expectancy if WHO guidelines of 5 µg/m3 (annual average PM2.5 concentration) are met,” the report said.

According to the report, respiratory illnesses in the city increased due to increasing pollution.

Air Pollution Attributed Diseases Reported in Lahore (DHIS).  Report/Sectoral Emissions Inventory of Lahore
Air Pollution Attributed Diseases Reported in Lahore (DHIS). Report/Sectoral Emissions Inventory of Lahore

The incidence of seasonal flu, pneumonia (> 5 years old), pneumonia (< 5 years old), acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURI), and cataracts reported during the smog season was 40%, 37%, 35%, 33% and 32 % of the whole year (October 2021 – October 2022).

Pakistan’s environmental problem

The report highlighted the air pollution challenge facing the country and the problems arising from it.

The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) published by Yale University in 2022 ranked Pakistan 176 out of 180 countries with a score of 5.7 in air quality points, indicating a decrease of -0.3 compared to the previous report, so it.

The report added that IQAir’s World Air Quality Report (2021) ranked Pakistan as the third most polluted country in terms of air quality.

Global PM2.5 Map 2021. - Report / Lahore Sectoral Emissions Inventory
Global PM2.5 Map 2021. – Report / Lahore Sectoral Emissions Inventory

In addition, the report highlighted that the country is currently facing the challenge of high climate vulnerability and environmental degradation.

“Rapid urbanization acts as a catalyst to raise awareness in the cities. Urban areas are the centers of energy production and thus global emissions to the atmosphere, but they are also the ones most affected by climate-related catastrophic impacts. Major urban centers of Pakistan are no exception to these impacts,” the report said.

Inadequate waste management, rapid urban sprawl, air pollution, poor access to water and sanitation and congestion are some of the challenges faced by urban areas in Pakistan.


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