Urbanization In Pakistan

A Nation with a population of 177 million with an average population dinsity of 222 persons per sq km, higher than many other developing countries, whose 37% people live in urban and 63% in rural areas, Urbanization in Pakistan has increased since the time of independence. Having different causes the population of Pakistan has a high rate of migration to urban centers which has made the cities dysfunctional, overcrowded and very congested.

The majority of southern Pakistan's population lives along the Indus River. Karachi is its most populous city. In the northern half of the country, most of the population lives in an arc formed by the cities of Lahore, Faislabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Jhelum, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Nowshera, Mardan and Peshawar. During 1990-2008, city dwellers made up 37% of Pakistan's population,  making it the most urbanized nation in South Asia.

Rapid urbanization is putting the available insufficient infrastructure under enormous pressure and causing environmental debacles of great magnitude. Serious risks of irreversible damages are present due to air and water pollution, mismanagement of solid waste and destruction of fragile ecosystems.

Motorcycles and rickshaws, due to their two stroke (2 Strokes) engines, are the most inefficient in burning fuel and contributes most to emissions. 2-stroke vehicles are responsible for emission of very fine inhalable particles that cause respiratory diseases. The 2-Stroke vehicles industry is performing fast in Pakistan and has increased by 142.6% in 2010-11 when compared with the year 2000-01. Rickshaws have grown by more than 24 percent while motorcycles and scooters have more than doubles since 2000-01.