Abbottabad, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has the best air quality in Pakistan, according to recent data.
Pakistan's Air Quality: A Comparison
To better understand the air quality in Pakistan, let's compare the best and worst cities based on the 2023 data:
| Metric | City | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Cleanest City | Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 97 |
| 2023 Most Polluted City | Lahore, Punjab | 182 |
As shown in the table, Abbottabad has a significantly lower air pollution index than Lahore, making it the city with the cleanest air in Pakistan. This information is based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) which is an important indicator of air pollution levels, as reported by IQAir.
Why is Abbottabad's Air Quality Better?
Several factors may contribute to Abbottabad's better air quality compared to other cities like Lahore:
- Lower Industrialization: Abbottabad experiences less industrial activity, which reduces emissions contributing to air pollution.
- Geographical Location: The city's location in the mountainous region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may result in better dispersion of pollutants compared to heavily populated and industrialized plains.
- Less Traffic Congestion: Compared to major metropolitan areas, Abbottabad has lower traffic congestion, leading to fewer vehicle emissions.
- Green Spaces: The presence of more green spaces and vegetation may contribute to absorbing pollutants and improving air quality.
Understanding the AQI
- The Air Quality Index (AQI) is used to report daily air quality.
- It is a number used by government agencies to communicate the level of air pollution to the public.
- A lower AQI indicates better air quality, while a higher AQI indicates greater pollution.
