Lahore ranks as the world’s most polluted city

Lahore has once again been ranked as the world’s most polluted city, according to IQAir’s live air quality tracker. The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 167, placing it first on a list of 125 cities, followed by Dhaka and Cairo. Data indicates that the concentration of PM2.5 pollutants in Lahore is 15.2 times higher than the annual guideline level set by the World Health Organization.

The severe smog is driven by a combination of human-made and seasonal factors. Key contributors include massive vehicular emissions from aging vehicles and low-quality fuel, unregulated industrial activity from factories and brick kilns, and seasonal crop stubble burning in the Punjab region. Rapid urbanization and the loss of green cover further exacerbate the crisis.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated that the provincial government is taking measures to address these environmental issues, noting that while pollution levels have declined over the last three years, smog remains a persistent problem. Health experts advise residents to avoid outdoor activity, use masks, and utilize air purifiers to mitigate the risks of respiratory damage.