Rising dust pollution emerges as major health threat, Karachi worst affected: Dr. Rashid Ali Daudpota warns

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 27th Jun, 2026) consultant Pulmonologist Dr. Rashid Ali Daudpota on Saturday raised overall concern over rapidly increasing dust pollution, warning that deteriorating air quality is emerging as a serious public health threat and highlighting Karachi as one of the worst-affected cities, while urging tree plantation and preventive measures to protect lung health.

While speaking to a local media outlet, Consultant Pulmonologist Dr. Rashid Ali Daudpota warned that Karachi’s air quality has deteriorated to an alarming level, posing a serious and growing risk to public health.

He said that nearly 70 percent of the air in the city is now affected by pollution, exposing residents to continuous and dangerous levels of environmental contamination on a daily basis.

He noted that rising dust levels and toxic emissions are significantly contributing to an increase in respiratory illnesses, with growing cases of asthma, breathing difficulties, and other lung-related diseases reported across the city.

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Dr. Daudpota stressed that the worsening situation demands urgent, large-scale and sustained action, particularly through widespread tree plantation campaigns aimed at improving overall air quality.

He further recommended modern urban environmental solutions, including tree plantation in vertical buildings, rooftop green spaces and indoor plantation systems, to help reduce pollution in densely populated areas.

He also called for a gradual shift towards electric vehicles to reduce harmful emissions and improve long-term urban air quality and environmental sustainability.

He advised citizens to adopt precautionary health measures, including early morning walks in relatively cleaner air and other protective steps to reduce exposure, while urging the government to take immediate and concrete action to control rising pollution levels in Karachi.