Lahore air quality drops to a record low

Lahore, which has long ranked as the most polluted city in the world, gained further recognition on Sunday by reaching an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 707 between 7 and 8 a.m.

Lahore remained shrouded in thick smog on Sunday, resulting in extremely low visibility.

The city recorded a peak Air Quality Index (AQI) of 707 at 8 a.m., while the AQI was 696 at 7 a.m. and 700 at 9 a.m. By 10 p.m., the AQI had decreased to 348, yet Lahore still topped the list as the most polluted city globally, followed closely by New Delhi, which recorded an AQI of 294.

The concentration of PM2.5 in Lahore reached a staggering 249 µg/m³, nearly 50 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit.

In response to the smog crisis, primarily caused by crop burning and industrial emissions, the Punjab government took urgent measures to protect public health.

The Punjab Environment Protection Department issued a smog alert, warning residents of polluted air entering from neighboring regions.

Authorities advised citizens to check AQI levels before outdoor activities and urged caution while driving due to reduced visibility.

In an enforcement crackdown, officials demolished four industrial units for non-compliance with emission regulations and imposed fines on over 200 polluting vehicles.

Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized the need for community support in combating pollution and urged residents to report any smog-inducing activities.