Spatiotemporal Analysis of Air Quality Index (AQI) in Pakistan: Implications for Public Health and Policy Interventions

Syeda Farwa Narjis Naqvi; Rahat Hameed; Bushra Asghar; Airaf Busri; Aleeza Husnain; Mubashra Mahmood; Aqsa Riaz; Muhammad Farooq

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i10.2477

Authors

Syeda Farwa Narjis Naqvi Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas, USA
Rahat Hameed Environment Officer in China Civil Engineering Cooperation Dasu Dam Project, Pakistan
Bushra Asghar Higher Education Department, Government Associate College of Commerce for Women 2-Lytton Road Lahore, Pakistan
Airaf Busri Department of Environmental Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
Aleeza Husnain Department of Environmental Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
Mubashra Mahmood Institute of Environmental Engineering and Research (IEER), University of Engineering and Technology (UET), Lahore, Pakistan
Aqsa Riaz Department of Environmental Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
Muhammad Farooq Department of Environmental Sciences Gomal University D.I Khan, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i10.2477

Keywords:

Air Quality Index, Pakistan, Spatiotemporal Analysis, Public Health, Policy Interventions, Particulate Matter, Smog.

Abstract

Pakistan's major cities regularly rank among the most polluted in the world, and air pollution has worsened into a serious environmental and public health crisis. This thorough review synthesizes data from several monitoring networks and satellite observations to analyze spatiotemporal AQI patterns throughout Pakistan from 2010 to 2024. Persistent hotspots with significant seasonal degradation during winter smog episodes are identified by the analysis in urban-industrial corridors, especially the Lahore-Sheikhupura-Kasur triangle. The most prevalent pollutant is fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), which is mostly produced by industrial combustion, agricultural burning, transboundary pollution, and vehicle emissions. Vulnerable populations are disproportionately affected by the review, which demonstrates dose-response relationships between AQI levels and neurological effects, cardiorespiratory morbidity, and all-cause mortality. Implementation issues continue despite policy frameworks because of poor interagency coordination, insufficient monitoring infrastructure, and lax enforcement. To lessen this public health emergency, this review ends with urgent recommendations for evidence-based interventions.

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