Vehicle Numbers Surge by Over 770% in Pakistan, Worsening Air Pollution

ISLAMABAD:Air pollution in Pakistan has become a serious concern as the number of vehicles on the country’s roads has increased by more than 770 per cent over the past three decades, according to a recent study.

The research reveals that Pakistan had approximately 4.47 million vehicles in 1990, a figure that exceeded 39 million by 2025, placing increasing pressure on urban infrastructure and air quality.

Carbon dioxide emissions have also risen significantly. According to the study, emissions increased from 13.8 million tonnes in 1990 to 43.6 million tonnes in 2023, highlighting the growing environmental impact of transportation and other contributing factors.

Lahore has been particularly affected, with the transport sector accounting for 81.3 per cent of the city’s carbon dioxide emissions, according to the findings.

The study also estimates that air pollution reduces average life expectancy in Pakistan by approximately seven years, underscoring the potential consequences for public health.

In other major cities, transportation contributes substantially to air pollution. The sector accounts for 33 per cent of air pollution in Karachi, 53 per cent in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and 51 per cent in Peshawar.

The findings highlight the environmental challenges associated with Pakistan’s rapidly expanding vehicle fleet and the need for effective measures to reduce transport-related emissions and improve air quality in major urban centres.