The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) has been honored with the prestigious EPIC Air Quality Award by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute.
This recognition comes as Pakistan faces critical air pollution challenges, especially in Lahore, where AQI levels have soared past 1,900 during the smog season.
This award will aid PAQI in expanding its monitoring efforts across key urban and rural areas, enhancing real-time pollution tracking. Supported by the Pakistan Air Quality Experts (PAQx) group, the initiative aims to align Pakistan’s air quality standards with the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines and back government programmes like the Punjab Clean Air Programme.
Founder, Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, Abid Omar states, “This award fuels our commitment to making clean air a fundamental right for all citizens.”
By collaborating with platforms like OpenAQ, PAQI is set to drive actionable change for a healthier Pakistan.
“Through this project, we aim to enhance the accessibility and quality of air quality data across Pakistan, empowering communities to better understand pollution in their areas. By expanding our network of air quality monitors and providing real-time data, we also aim to facilitate informed decision-making at both the individual and policy levels. Our goal is to drive actionable change that improves air quality nationwide, helping shape a future where clean air is available for all,” he stated.
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