Karachi’s air quality drastically declined on Friday with PM2.5 readings from several monitoring points showing a dangerous level of PM2.5 throughout the city.
Environmental data from multiple neighborhoods shows that several locations recorded PM2.5 levels significantly above the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 35ug/m3, placing residents at serious risk of respiratory ailments.
Fazlee Sons Private Limited in Saddar Town recorded the highest daily reading – 199 micrograms/m3 – of the day, marking it as “hazardous” and highlighting increasing environmental threats in central Karachi.
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Air pollution levels in Jamshed Town remain alarmingly high. Karachi Zoo recorded 193 micrograms per cubic meter, while Urban Unit Karachi measured 190; Urban Resource Center registered 176, and Climate Action Center reported 173. These values demonstrate consistently alarming values.
Experts warn of the immediate respiratory dangers posed by elevated pollution levels, especially for young children, older adults, those suffering from asthma, bronchitis, or cardiac disease, who remain more susceptible than most to fine particulate pollution.
Educational institutions across Karachi reported dangerous pollution spikes. NED University’s City Campus in Saddar Town registered 114 micrograms/m3, while University of Karachi’s Institute of Space Science and Technology registered 125 micrograms/m3 during peak monitoring hours.
At NED’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal campus, PM2.5 levels reached 154ug/m3, creating hazardous conditions for thousands of students attending classes daily in that region.
Industrial areas were especially hard hit. For instance, in SITE Town the Orangi Pilot Project measured 155 micrograms/m3 while North Nazimabad Town recorded 148 at Aman Khan Kaka Khail monitoring location.
Numerous other residential and commercial sites displayed alarming trends: Keamari Town Solid Waste Management recorded 106 micrograms/m3, while DHA 5’s DG House registered 118 and Zafar Memon DHA in Saddar Town registered 115.
Gulshan-e-Johar Asif monitoring point recorded 167 while Engr Muzaffar Sir in Malir registered 153 ug/m3. Environmental groups warn that Karachi remains one of the world’s most polluted cities and urge the government to adopt stronger long-term policies to halt further deterioration and ensure public health is preserved.
How many categories are there to measure Air Quality?
AQI 0–50: Good
The air quality is considered excellent, with minimal or no risk to public health. There are no necessary precautions for the general population.
AQI 51–100: Moderate
Air quality is generally acceptable; however, there may be a slight health concern for a small number of individuals who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Active children, adults, and people with respiratory conditions like asthma should consider limiting prolonged outdoor activity.
AQI 101–150: Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
Sensitive individuals, such as those with asthma or other respiratory issues, may begin to experience health effects, although the general population is unlikely to be affected. It is advised that active children, adults, and those with respiratory conditions limit extended outdoor exertion.
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AQI 151–200: Unhealthy
Health effects may begin to affect everyone, with sensitive groups potentially experiencing more serious symptoms. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory illnesses should avoid prolonged outdoor activity, while others—especially children—should reduce outdoor exertion.
AQI 201–300: Very Unhealthy
This range signals emergency-level health warnings. The entire population is more likely to experience adverse health effects. Those with respiratory conditions and active individuals should avoid all outdoor activity, while everyone else, particularly children, should limit time spent outdoors.
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AQI 300+: Hazardous
Air quality is extremely poor, posing a serious risk to health for everyone. A health alert is in effect, and all outdoor exertion should be avoided by the entire population.
