Lahore has reclaimed its grim title as the world’s most polluted city, with air quality levels soaring well beyond World Health Organization (WHO) safety standards. The latest data from IQAir shows the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 312, while PM2.5 levels reached 190.5 micrograms per cubic meter over 25 times higher than the permissible limit.
The thick layer of smog hanging over Lahore stems from a combination of vehicular emissions, industrial smoke, and widespread crop residue burning across Punjab. Despite the Punjab government’s Smog Emergency Plan being in effect, the pollution crisis continues to worsen. The plan includes tighter restrictions on vehicle emissions, bans on open waste burning, and curbs on industrial discharge.
Authorities have also urged residents to stay indoors during peak smog hours, use air purifiers if possible, and wear N95 masks outdoors to minimize exposure. Schools and offices have been advised to shift to hybrid or remote modes when pollution levels spike.
Lahore AQI has even surpassed Delhi and Kolkata in recent days, highlighting the scale of South Asia’s worsening air crisis. Environmentalists emphasize that urgent long-term strategies such as transitioning to cleaner fuels, improving public transport, and expanding urban green cover are essential to prevent Lahore from sinking deeper into a public health emergency.