Pakistan is the most polluted country in the world

Pakistan ranked among the countries with the highest levels of smog last year, with concentrations of fine particulate matter, PM2.5, reaching up to 13 times the World Health Organisation's recommended limits, according to a report by air quality monitoring firm IQAir.

The report found that 130 of the 143 countries analysed failed to meet WHO air quality guidelines. Bangladesh and Tajikistan were also among the most polluted countries, while Chad rose to fourth place in the rankings. India's Loni was identified as the world's most polluted city, followed by Hotan in China. The majority of the most polluted urban areas were located in India, Pakistan and China.

Only 14 per cent of cities worldwide met air quality standards, down on the previous year. The findings were partly influenced by forest fires in Canada, which drove up pollution levels beyond the immediate region.

IQAir's report also pointed to gaps in data after the closure of a US monitoring programme, which affected the rankings of several countries. Some nations, including Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia, recorded improvements in air quality.

(reuters, max)