Lahore’s air quality showed signs of improvement on Sunday as its Air Quality Index (AQI) moved out of the “hazardous” range, bringing some relief to the city. Despite the improvement, the AQI was still recorded at 295, which falls under the “very unhealthy” category according to the Swiss air quality monitor IQ Air. This placed Lahore in the second spot on the list of the world’s most polluted cities.
Meanwhile, New Delhi took the top spot with an AQI of 751, surpassing Lahore as the most polluted city globally.
The smog crisis in Lahore has continued to plague the city, affecting its 14 million residents. The ongoing pollution is largely attributed to a mix of cold air trapping dust, low-grade diesel fumes, and smoke from illegal stubble burning, particularly in neighboring India.
Lahore’s AQI had previously surpassed 300, reaching “hazardous” levels, prompting authorities to implement extraordinary measures to tackle the situation. Punjab’s pollution levels have spiraled in recent years, with some cities experiencing record-high toxic levels.
In response, senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb declared a health emergency in Lahore and Multan, calling the smog crisis a national disaster. She also emphasized the provincial government’s 10-year anti-smog plan, which includes specific targets for each department to reduce pollution.
As a result of the severe air quality, schools in the province have been closed and shifted to online classes. Additional measures include a 10-day ban on construction activities in the most affected cities, weekend lockdowns, and restaurants limited to takeaway services after 4 pm.
The PM2.5 pollutant level in Lahore was recorded at 220 µg/m³, 44 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended guidelines.
Other cities in Punjab, including Multan, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Karachi, also reported unhealthy AQI levels.
The thick smog has also severely reduced visibility, leading to the closure of multiple motorways, including the M-2, M-11, M-3, M-4, and M-5. An accident in Kasur resulted in one death after a truck overturned in the low visibility conditions. Authorities have advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel during foggy conditions, use fog lights, and drive cautiously.
