BELEM, Brazil – With the pace of climate change intensifying, scientists warn that extreme weather events and environmental disruptions are taking a mounting toll worldwide. Recent findings reveal that global temperatures, sea levels, and ecosystem instability are increasing faster than ever before. A major study published in June updated the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change […]
environment
IFIs warn Pakistan of severe climate risks
ISLAMABAD: International Financial Institutions (IFIs) have expressed deep concern over Pakistan’s worsening climate vulnerability, environmental degradation, and unchecked population growth, warning that these factors could significantly undermine the country’s stability and economic future if left unaddressed. The warnings were issued during the closing plenary of the 28th Sustainable Development Conference on Friday, attended by experts […]
Gujranwala declared most polluted city in Pakistan
GUJRANWALA – Gujranwala has topped Pakistan’s pollution rankings, with Lahore and Karachi following closely behind, according to the latest air quality readings released on Sunday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Gujranwala soared to 379, indicating hazardous smog levels that have made breathing difficult for residents. The city’s industrial zones, including Khyali, Sheikhupura Road, and […]
Punjab changes school timings amid worsening Lahore smog
LAHORE – Punjab’s top environment official announced on Sunday that both government and private schools across the province will now open no earlier than 8:45 a.m. due to worsening air pollution levels. Director General Environment Imran Hamid Shaikh said that any violation of the revised school timing will result in fines ranging from five to […]
Lahore tops world’s most polluted cities as toxic smog chokes Punjab
LAHORE – Thick smog blanketed Punjab on Thursday morning, turning the air dangerously toxic and making it difficult for residents to breathe. The provincial capital, Lahore, once again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities, recording an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 603. According to data from air quality monitoring stations, AQI […]
Balochistan faces alarming water crisis
QUETTA – Large parts of Balochistan are grappling with a worsening water crisis, as rapidly depleting groundwater levels threaten both agriculture and daily life across the province — including the capital Quetta and its surrounding districts. According to experts, groundwater in the region is dropping by 3 to 4 feet every year, leaving thousands of […]
Air Pollution in New Delhi Soars to 16 Times WHO Limit After Diwali
NEW DELHI: India’s capital New Delhi was engulfed in a thick, toxic haze on Monday as air pollution levels soared to more than 16 times the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommended safe limit, posing serious health risks to its residents. Home to over 30 million people, New Delhi and its surrounding metropolitan region are routinely […]
Punjab Makes Face Masks Mandatory for Motorcyclists
LAHORE: The Punjab government has made it mandatory for all motorcycle riders to wear face masks, introducing new preventive measures to safeguard public health as smog continues to worsen across major cities, including Lahore. Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that polluted winds from Indian cities such as New Delhi, Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, and Patiala […]
Sindh High Court Seeks Detailed Report on Tree Cutting
KARACHI: The Director General (DG) Parks informed the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday that a detailed reply regarding the cutting of trees along Shara-e-Faisal is being submitted to the court today. During the hearing, a division bench of the SHC resumed proceedings on a petition filed against the large-scale chopping of trees on Karachi’s […]
Climate Change, Water Now Top Priorities for Pakistan: World Bank Survey
ISLAMABAD — A new World Bank survey shows that climate change, water, and sanitation have become Pakistan’s top national priorities, even as perceptions of the World Bank Group’s (WBG) overall support have declined in key areas like governance, education, and water management. According to the Pakistan Country Opinion Survey 2025, support for climate change initiatives […]