Pakistan’s Major Environmental Challenges in 2024
Introduction
In 2024, Pakistan continues to grapple with a range of environmental challenges that are deeply interconnected with both natural and human-induced factors. With a population of over 240 million, Pakistan faces increasing pressure on its natural resources, compounded by the impacts of climate change, industrialization, and urbanization. These challenges not only threaten the environment but also pose significant risks to the country’s economic stability, food security, and public health.
The country is already one of the most vulnerable to climate change, and its environmental issues have been exacerbated by poor governance, inadequate environmental policies, and weak enforcement. Below are the key environmental challenges confronting Pakistan in 2024.
A. Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
Climate change remains the foremost environmental challenge for Pakistan in 2024. The country has experienced more frequent and intense weather events, including floods, droughts, heatwaves, and glacial melt.Pakistan has experienced a number of extreme weather events in 2024 due to climate change, including:
Flooding
Heavy rainfall and flooding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) from July 1 to August 16, 2024 resulted in 64 deaths, 48 injuries, 139 animal deaths, and 217 damaged houses.
Heat wave
Temperatures reached record highs, with 52°C in Jacobabad, 44°C in Lahore, and 45°C in Karachi. Thousands of Pakistanis died from heatstroke and overwhelmed healthcare facilities.
Landslides and infrastructure damage
Torrential rains caused landslides and severe damage to roads, bridges, and houses.
Pakistan is considered one of the most climate-challenged countries in the world. The impacts of climate change on Pakistan include:
a) Mental health
Climate change has led to a sense of climate anxiety, or “eco-anxiety”, among the population.
b) Child marriages
Extreme weather events are increasing the risk of child marriages, with some families marrying their daughters to survive.
B. Water Scarcity and Mismanagement:
In 2024, Pakistan remains one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, facing a severe crisis exacerbated by population growth, climate change, poor governance, and inefficient water management systems. The country’s water availability has dropped drastically over the decades, from 5,260 cubic meters per capita in 1951 to around 860 cubic meters per capita in 2024, far below the water scarcity threshold of 1,000 cubic meters. This situation has placed Pakistan on the brink of an acute water shortage, threatening food security, livelihoods, and economic stability.
Key Factors Driving Water Scarcity
Over-reliance on the Indus River System:
Pakistan’s water supply is heavily dependent on the Indus River, which provides over 90% of the country’s water. However, climate change, glacier melt, and unpredictable monsoon patterns are affecting the river’s flow. Additionally, inefficient irrigation practices lead to significant water loss.
Groundwater Depletion:
Excessive extraction of groundwater, especially in urban centers like Lahore, Karachi, and parts of Punjab, has led to a drastic decline in water tables. Groundwater is being extracted at unsustainable rates, without replenishment. Especially, its rate increases due to the use of Solar Turbine, Tube well for irrigation, and turbines at home are playing a pivotal role in the depletion of groundwater. Of filter water companies drawing and wasting water on a large scale.
Inefficient Agricultural Water Use:
Agriculture, which consumes about 90% of Pakistan’s water, remains highly inefficient. Antiquated irrigation methods, such as flood irrigation, lead to water wastage, while a lack of modern irrigation infrastructure hampers water conservation.Also unwise growing of crops e.g.In high temperature areas growing crops which used more water.
Urbanization and Population Growth:
Rapid urbanization and a growing population have increased water demand, further straining the already limited supply. Cities like Karachi and Lahore face frequent water shortages, while rural areas suffer from inadequate access to clean drinking water.
Mismanagement of Water Resources
Inefficient Irrigation Systems:
Pakistan’s irrigation system is the largest contiguous one globally, but it is highly inefficient. Only about 40% of the water diverted for irrigation is effectively used, with significant losses due to leakage, evaporation, and poor management. This mismanagement has worsened the situation, as there are insufficient investments in water infrastructure maintenance.
Poor Water Governance:
Fragmented policies, lack of coordination between provinces, and weak enforcement of water management laws have led to ineffective governance. Disputes over water distribution between provinces, such as between Sindh and Punjab, are common, reflecting the absence of a cohesive national water policy.
Lack of Water Storage Infrastructure:
Pakistan lacks adequate water storage capacity, holding only about 30 days of water in reservoirs, compared to the global standard of 1,000 days. Major dams such as Tarbela and Mangla are losing capacity due to sedimentation, further limiting the country’s ability to manage water shortages during dry seasons.
Climate change is exacerbating water stress in Pakistan by disrupting the natural flow of water. Rising temperatures have increased glacial melt, which in the short term causes flooding, but in the long term will reduce river flows. Unpredictable monsoon patterns are also affecting agricultural productivity, with some regions receiving less rainfall, while others face flooding. As a result, the water availability from both surface and groundwater sources is becoming increasingly unreliable.
In 2024, Pakistan’s water table has dropped significantly in many regions, particularly in urban centers like Lahore and Karachi, causing both an agricultural and urban water crisis.
C. Air Pollution
Pakistan’s air quality remains among the worst in the world. Cities such as Lahore and Karachi regularly experience hazardous levels of air pollution, driven by industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, crop burning, and poor waste management. Smog is a recurrent issue, especially in the winter months when particulate matter (PM2.5) levels rise to dangerous heights. The health impacts of air pollution are staggering, with respiratory diseases and premature deaths on the rise. Air pollution in Pakistan is a critical and escalating public health crisis, with major urban centers like Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Faisalabad, and Peshawar consistently recording hazardous levels of air pollutants. This widespread issue is driven by a combination of industrial emissions, vehicular exhaust, burning of solid waste, agricultural activities, and dust storms. In 2024, air pollution has reached unprecedented levels, prompting concern over the long-term health and environmental consequences for the nation.
Current Status of Air Pollution in 2024
As of 2024, Pakistan ranks among the top countries with the worst air quality globally. In Lahore, Pakistan’s second-largest city and an economic hub, the air quality index (AQI) has consistently hovered between 200-400, with some days exceeding 500 AQI, classifying it as “hazardous.” Karachi, another highly populated urban area, has similar pollution levels driven by industrial activities and vehicular emissions. Islamabad, the capital city, is not far behind, with the air pollution primarily caused by traffic and construction dust. Almost the same situation in other big cities of Pakistan.
Recent data indicate that air pollution kills approximately 135,000 Pakistanis every year, making it one of the leading causes of premature deaths in the country. According to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Report 2023, Pakistan experienced an estimated 22% increase in air pollution-related mortality compared to previous years.
Major Sources of Air Pollution in Pakistan
Vehicular Emissions:
One of the largest contributors to air pollution, especially in urban areas, is the rise in the number of vehicles on the road. Poorly maintained vehicles emitting excessive levels of pollutants, such as carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), exacerbate the problem. Inadequate enforcement of vehicular emission standards, coupled with the increasing use of two-stroke engines and low-quality fuels, contributes significantly to air quality deterioration.
Industrial Emissions:
Industrial facilities such as steel mills, brick kilns, cement factories, and power plants emit vast quantities of pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Many industries in Pakistan continue to operate without adherence to environmental regulations, making industrial pollution a severe and unchecked problem.
Agricultural Practices:
Open burning of crop residues is a common agricultural practice, especially in Punjab, which significantly contributes to the seasonal rise in air pollution. In winter, these fires release massive amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere, worsening the smog situation.
Household and Waste Burning:
In rural and some urban areas, households still rely on burning wood, dung, and other biomass for cooking and heating, contributing to indoor and outdoor air pollution. Additionally, open burning of waste in landfills and public spaces further adds to the toxic air quality.
Dust Storms:
Pakistan’s geographic location exposes it to frequent dust storms, particularly in the southern and western regions. Dust from construction sites and unpaved roads in urban centers also adds to particulate matter pollution.
Health Impacts of Air Pollution in 2024
The health impacts of air pollution in Pakistan are profound. Exposure to high levels of pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 is linked to a variety of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, and ischemic heart disease. In children, exposure to poor air quality can lead to impaired lung development and reduced cognitive function.
According to a 2024 report by the World Health Organization (WHO), the life expectancy in Pakistan has been reduced by an average of 2.7 years due to air pollution. Moreover, the economic cost of air pollution is significant, with estimates indicating that air pollution costs the Pakistani economy around $1 billion annually in healthcare expenses and productivity losses.
D. Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss
Deforestation in Pakistan is occurring at an alarming rate, with forests being cleared for agricultural expansion, urbanization, and illegal logging. This has led to the degradation of critical ecosystems, especially in the northern regions. Pakistan’s forest cover is estimated to be less than 5% of its total land area, far below the recommended 25% for environmental sustainability. Deforestation and Biodiversity loss, which are affecting the country’s livelihoods, ecosystems, and industries:
Deforestation
Pakistan loses almost 27,000 hectares of natural forest every year, which is considered a “Green Emergency”. The country’s forest cover is less than 5% of its total area, and the deforestation rate is 1.5%.
Biodiversity loss
As Pakistan loses tree cover, species like markhors, squirrels, woodpeckers, snails, moths, ferns, and mushrooms are at risk of becoming endangered.
Impact on livelihoods
The rural population relies on Pakistan’s forests for their livelihoods, and the degradation of forests threatens their homes, jobs, and skills.
Impact on industries
Forest-based industries, such as tourism and agriculture, are at risk from the declining supply of raw materials from the country’s forests.
Uncommon environmental challenges
In March 2024, Pakistan experienced an unprecedented cold wave, with temperatures dropping to 11 degrees Celsius in Karachi. In February 2024, the Balochistan government declared a state of emergency in Gwadar after heavy rainfall caused extensive damage
Biodiversity loss, driven by habitat destruction, hunting, and climate change, poses a threat to the country’s rich wildlife, including species like the snow leopard and Indus River dolphin.
E. Soil Degradation and Desertification
Soil degradation, primarily due to overgrazing, deforestation, and unsustainable farming practices, continues to undermine agricultural productivity. In 2024, Pakistan is witnessing an expansion of desert areas, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan, where soil salinity and erosion are significant problems. This threatens the livelihoods of millions of people who rely on agriculture for sustenance: Some of the reasons of soil degradation and Deforestation in Pakistan.
Salinity
Pakistan’s naturally saline soils have been made worse by poor irrigation management. Over 25% of irrigated land is affected by salinity, and more than 1.4 million hectares are no longer usable for cultivation.
Soil nutrient loss
Many cultivated soils are low in important nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, zinc, copper, iron, and manganese. This is due to a number of factors, including:
Leaching of nutrients by irrigation water and rain
Continuous cultivation of the same crops over long periods
A hot and arid climate
Inadequate addition of organic fertilizers or green manure
Soil erosion
About 20% of Pakistan’s land is affected by soil erosion.
Desertification
90% of Pakistan’s land is either currently suffering from desertification or at risk of doing so.
F. Waste Management and Pollution
In 2024, Pakistan faces significant waste management and pollution challenges, with environmental degradation reaching critical levels due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and inefficient waste handling practices. The country generates millions of tons of waste annually, much of which is mismanaged, leading to severe pollution in urban areas, rivers, and even remote regions. Following are some issues:
Pakistan generates over 49.6 million tons of solid waste each year, a number expected to rise as urban populations grow. Major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad account for a large portion of this waste. However, only a small percentage is collected and properly disposed of.
Most solid waste ends up in open dumpsites, many of which are unregulated. These dumpsites pose serious health risks due to the release of toxic gases and leachate that can contaminate groundwater supplies. Karachi, for instance, struggles with thousands of tons of waste daily, with much of it left uncollected or dumped in landfills that do not meet environmental standards.
Recycling remains underdeveloped in Pakistan, with informal recycling networks handling a small portion of waste. Lack of governmental infrastructure and public awareness has hampered the establishment of formal recycling programs. Efforts in major cities have been sporadic, with few comprehensive waste separation or recycling systems in place.
The rise of technology has introduced another pressing concern—e-waste. Pakistan imports millions of tons of discarded electronics, and there is little regulation on the disposal of such waste, which contains hazardous materials that can leach into soil and water bodies.
Pollution in Pakistan
Pakistan is facing pollution like
Air Pollution
Water Pollution
Plastic Pollution:
Solid waste management remains an unresolved issue in both urban and rural areas of Pakistan. Most cities lack proper waste collection and disposal systems, leading to the proliferation of open dumpsites and the burning of waste, which contributes to air pollution. The unchecked disposal of plastic waste has also led to severe waterway pollution, with rivers and lakes becoming clogged with debris.
The lack of recycling infrastructure and public awareness exacerbates the waste crisis, making it a persistent environmental challenge.
G. Energy Crisis and Reliance on Fossil Fuels
Pakistan is experiencing a severe energy crisis in 2024, with cities facing up to 10 hours of load-shedding and rural areas facing up to 18 hours of power blackouts. The crisis is due to a number of factors, including:
Fossil fuel reliance:
Pakistan has relied too much on fossil fuels for power generation.
High fuel costs:
Rising fuel costs have contributed to the crisis.
Inadequate transmission and distribution lines:
The country’s transmission and distribution lines are not adequate.
Economic instability:
Pakistan is experiencing economic instability, with high inflation and dwindling foreign exchange reserves.
Pakistan’s energy sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly coal and oil, contributing to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. Although the country is making strides toward renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydropower, fossil fuels still dominate the energy mix. The government’s efforts to implement green energy projects have been slow, and the energy transition remains a challenge in 2024.
H. Conclusion
In 2024, Pakistan faces an uphill battle in addressing its numerous environmental challenges. Climate change, water scarcity, air pollution, deforestation, waste mismanagement, and reliance on fossil fuels for energy require immediate and comprehensive actions. Without strong policy enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and international cooperation, these environmental threats will continue to undermine Pakistan’s economic and social development, placing further strain on its already vulnerable ecosystems and communities.
