Pakistan’s 67% population lacks waste management system
Pakistan’s 67% population lacks waste management system, according to alarming figures released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), highlighting a growing environmental and public health challenge across the country.
In a recently published document, the PBS disclosed that nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s population disposes of garbage in open areas due to the absence of formal waste collection services. The report stated that 67 percent of the population throws waste in the open, while only 11 percent relies on municipal corporations and nine percent uses private waste management services.
The situation shows a stark urban-rural divide, with cities having relatively better access to waste disposal facilities. According to PBS data, 25 percent of the urban population depends on municipal waste collection services, while 18 percent uses private companies for garbage disposal. However, a significant portion of city residents still lacks access to structured waste management systems.
Provincial comparisons reveal uneven progress across the country. Punjab and Sindh were reported to have comparatively better waste management systems than other provinces, though large segments of their populations remain underserved.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was described as having a limited waste disposal infrastructure. The PBS report revealed that 85 percent of households in rural areas of the province discard waste in open spaces, while 41 percent of urban households also resort to open dumping due to inadequate collection facilities.
Balochistan emerged as the worst-affected province in the report, with only one percent of households having access to municipal-level waste management services. According to the PBS, around 81 percent of households in Balochistan dispose of their garbage in open areas, reflecting a near-total absence of formal waste collection infrastructure in large parts of the province.
Pakistan’s 67% population lacks waste management system at a time when rapid urbanisation, population growth, and climate-related risks are intensifying environmental pressures. Experts warn that unmanaged waste contributes to air and water pollution, increases the spread of disease, and exacerbates flooding by clogging drainage systems, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated national and provincial action to address the crisis.
