Accountability Lab Pakistan 91d ago

Karachi, one of the world’s largest megacities with an estimated population of about 18.5–19 million people, is under the grip of a silent environmental crisis. Piles of garbage, traffic congestion, and industrial emissions are contributing to severe air pollution, costing lives. A World Bank City Diagnostic report shows that green spaces in the city have shrunk to less than 4% of the total built‑up area, far below international benchmarks, worsening heat, pollution exposure, and the overall quality of life. According to the Air Quality Life Index, life expectancy for Karachiites could increase by 2.7 years if air quality met WHO guidelines. This documentary by Asifa Idrees, produced under Frames of Change by Accountability Lab Pakistan in collaboration with Green Media Initiative, captures these realities on the ground. It reflects how environmental degradation, unmanaged waste, and unhealthy air are becoming part of everyday life for millions. While electric buses and modern transport systems are being introduced to reduce pollution, experts say true solutions must tackle deeper issues in governance, infrastructure, and city management if this crisis is to be reversed.