Lahore, the capital of Punjab, has seen a slight improvement in its air quality as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) moved out of the “hazardous” range on Sunday. Despite this small improvement, Lahore remains the second most polluted city in the world, according to IQ Air, with an AQI reading of 295, which is considered “very unhealthy.” The residents of the city are still dealing with the effects of dangerous levels of toxins in the air, which have been a persistent issue for weeks.
The Indian capital, New Delhi, took over the top spot as the world’s most polluted city, with an AQI of 751, surpassing Lahore in the rankings. Lahore, home to approximately 14 million people, has been heavily affected by smog, which worsens every winter. The pollution has been especially intense this year due to a combination of factors, including trapped dust, low-grade diesel fumes, and smoke from illegal crop-burning practices in neighboring regions.
Authorities in Punjab have blamed the increasing pollution on neighboring India, even as the province continues to battle severe air quality issues. On the global IQ Air ranking, anything above an AQI of 300 is considered “hazardous,” and at times, Lahore’s AQI had exceeded this dangerous threshold.
In response to the crisis, Punjab’s senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb declared a health emergency in Lahore and Multan, calling the smog situation a national disaster. She pointed to the 10-year anti-smog plan launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in March, which outlines specific actions for various departments to tackle the issue. Schools in the province have closed and moved to online classes due to the dangerous air quality.
The government has implemented several measures to fight the smog, including a 10-day ban on construction activities in the worst-hit cities, weekend lockdowns, and restrictions on restaurants, which can only offer takeaway services after 4 pm. The PM2.5 pollutant level in Lahore was recorded at 220 µg/m³, which is 44 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limit.
Other cities in Punjab, such as Multan (AQI 228), Peshawar (AQI 166), Rawalpindi (AQI 145), Islamabad (AQI 144), and Karachi (AQI 134), have also been affected, with air quality ranging from “unhealthy” to “moderate.”
The dense smog has caused significant disruptions, particularly in transportation. Several motorways, including the M-2 from Lahore to Kot Momin and M-11 connecting Lahore to Multan, were closed due to poor visibility. The fog even led to a truck accident in Kasur, resulting in one fatality. Motorway police have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel during foggy conditions and to use fog lights while driving.
4o mini
