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This paper investigates the long-run dynamic association of carbon dioxide emissions and economic progress using the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis for Pakistan from 1972 to 2019. The other variables used along with the above indicators are urbanization, financial development, manufacturing, oil and gas energy consumptions, and trade openness. The ARDL bounds testing methodology has been used and the results of the bounds testing showed that a 1% increase in economic growth and financial development would increase CO2 emissions in the country by 4.277% and 0.0787%, respectively. Urbanization and manufacturing would increase CO2 emissions by 0.648% and 0.171%, respectively. Oil and gas energy consumption would also increase CO2 emissions by 0.130% and 0.1935%, respectively. On the other hand, trade openness decreases emissions by -0.087% in the long run. Besides, findings confirm the EKC hypothesis with the reversed U-shape relation for per capita CO2 emissions and economic progress. However, the threshold point of the economy is approximately 2735.19$ year per capita, where economic progress can mitigate the impact of pollution lies beyond the study period. Finally, for policy implications: (i) the government should focus on economic growth by overcoming CO2 emissions as per capita income is scarce. (ii) the control and proper expansion of urban areas and empowering the inhabitants with knowledge and awareness to play their role in mitigating the effects of CO2 emissions on society. (iii) a larger share of alternative energy from biomass, the solar, wind, and other less-polluting energies in the energy need model of the country, and (iv) by establishing advanced technology-based industries in the country for economic growth by controlling the impacts on the environment.