Karachi and Lahore have once again made headlines, but this time for all the wrong reasons. Both cities have been ranked among the most polluted in the world, raising serious concerns about urban living conditions in Pakistan.
Karachi, the country’s largest city with over 11.6 million people, is already known for its rapid urbanization and unchecked growth. Lahore, with a population of 6.3 million, has also been struggling with severe air quality issues that worsen every winter.
Pakistan overall is the 7th most populous country in the world, despite being the 36th largest by area. The nation is quickly moving toward the 200 million population mark, and with more people living in dense urban areas, pollution levels are only getting worse.
Currently, Pakistan has 8 cities with populations over a million, 59 cities with populations between 100,000 and 1 million, and nearly 284 cities with over 10,000 people. This urban pressure continues to stretch resources thin, adding to environmental challenges.
Yet, even with this growth, about 61% of Pakistanis still live in rural areas. However, steady population increases mean more migration toward cities in the coming decade—likely worsening the pollution crisis unless strong measures are taken.
The ranking of Karachi and Lahore as the world’s top polluted cities is a wake-up call, pushing authorities and citizens to rethink how to balance development with sustainability.
