KARACHI, June 4: Pakistanis are not only exposed to political and economic risks, but also the air they breathe and the water they drink are dangerously polluted. The Economic Survey of Pakistan 2005-06 issued on Sunday said the air pollution levels in Pakistan’s most populated cities were among the highest in the world and were climbing, causing serious health issues.
“The levels of ambient particulates — smoke particles and dust that cause respiratory disease — are generally twice the world average and more than five times as high as in industrial countries and Latin America,” said the survey report.
Various surveys showed that the air pollution levels in cities had either crossed safe limits or reached the threshold values, said the report.
The most serious issue of air quality in Pakistan is the presence of excessive suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the ambient air. The major sources of SPM are vehicles, industry, burning of solid waste, brick kilns and natural dust.
The key factors contributing to air pollution in Pakistan are: a) rapidly growing energy demand; b) increasing industrial and domestic demand; and c) a fast growing transport sector.
In the cities, widespread use of low-quality fuel, combined with a dramatic expansion in the number of vehicles on roads, has led to significant air pollution problems. The number of vehicles has jumped from 0.8 million to about 4.0 million within 20 years, showing an overall increase of over 400 per cent.
Since 1980, a maximum growth has been seen in two-stroke vehicles, such as delivery vans, which are approximately 1,751 per cent, followed by motor cycles 541 per cent and rickshaws 159 per cent. Diesel trucks and buses have also increased at an alarming rate of 200-300 per cent since 1980.
In the water sector, Pakistan is faced with severe water shortages and water quality issues. The orientation of the water management institutions and experts is largely toward harnessing the resource in the service of economic growth and not towards its conservation or quality.
In addition, severe levels of water pollution and unchecked industrial pollutants being released in water bodies have added an ‘immediate measure’ status to water management issues. The survey warned that availability of water has been sharply shrinking to a threshold level. Water availability in Pakistan continues to decrease, both in total amount of water as well as in the per capita water availability in Pakistan.
In 1951 when population stood at 34 million, per capita availability of water was 5,300 cubic metre which has now decreased to 1105 cubic metre, just touching the water scarcity level of 1000 cubic metre.
“With present growth in population and low rainfalls, the threshold limit of water scarcity i.e. 1000 cubic metre of water per capita per year may be reached as early as the year 2010,” said the survey report.
