KARACHI: Several parts of Karachi experienced dense fog on Sunday morning, resulting in low visibility, flight disruptions and at least one fatal road accident, while air quality levels in the city remained in the “very unhealthy air quality” range.
Fog reduced visibility in multiple areas, including Super Highway, Surjani Town, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Clifton and Defence, affecting both road and air traffic. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) said shallow fog also enveloped sections of the Rahim Yar Khan–Karachi Highway and the Karachi–Lasbela Highway between 8am and 11am.
According to updates available on Karachi airport’s website, several flights were either delayed or cancelled due to reduced visibility. Pakistan Airports Authority spokesperson Saifullah Khan confirmed that six international flights scheduled to land in Karachi were diverted as a precautionary safety measure.
He said flights operated by Pegasus Airlines, Etihad Airways, Flyadeal and Gulf Air were diverted to Muscat due to fog. A Pakistan International Airlines flight arriving from Madina was also diverted to Muscat, while a Fly Jinnah flight from Jeddah was redirected to Islamabad. Airport authorities said operations would normalise once visibility conditions improved.
Pakistan Airports Authority spokesperson Saifullah Khan confirmed in a statement that six international flights scheduled to land in Karachi had to be diverted due to fog.https://t.co/qiM4mCvqAl
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 21, 2025
Meanwhile, air quality in the city remained poor. Data from air quality monitoring platform IQAir around 11:30am showed Karachi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 282, categorising it as “very unhealthy”. AQI readings above 200 indicate air conditions that may pose health risks to the general population, particularly children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
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The AQI measures concentrations of pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), coarse particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide and ozone. Environmental experts have repeatedly advised residents to limit outdoor activities during periods of poor air quality.
In a related incident, police reported that a motorcyclist died in a road accident on Clifton Bridge, which they attributed partly to hazy weather conditions. South Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Asad Raza said the accident occurred due to a combination of smog, slippery roads and speeding. The motorcyclist reportedly lost control of the vehicle and died at the scene.
The victim’s body was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and later handed over to his family. Authorities urged motorists to exercise caution during foggy conditions and reduce speed to avoid accidents.
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