Lahore’s air quality worsened on Tuesday as heavy smog covered most parts of Punjab, placing the city second among the world’s most polluted urban centers — just after Delhi, which recorded a severe Air Quality Index (AQI) of 535. Toxic air from northern India has begun drifting into Pakistan, increasing pollution levels in Lahore and nearby areas.
According to IQAir, Lahore’s AQI reached 266, rated as “very unhealthy,” with experts warning it could rise further to between 210 and 240 in the coming days. The city’s PM2.5 level — tiny particles harmful to health — was recorded at 187 µg/m³, almost 37 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s safe limit. Karachi also made the global pollution list, ranking sixth with an AQI of 164, considered “unhealthy.”
Officials fear that Diwali fireworks in India could worsen Lahore’s smog, reducing visibility and increasing health risks. The Punjab government has launched several measures to control pollution, including water-spraying operations, anti-smog guns, and drone monitoring of brick kilns. The province has also opened its first Smog Monitoring and Control Centre to track air quality in real time.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said nine departments are working together on a “grand anti-smog operation” under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s direction. She noted that early air quality forecasting had helped the government take preventive action. Traffic police have limited heavy vehicles, while construction sites have been ordered to cover open materials to control dust. Authorities are also using Safe City cameras to monitor traffic and emissions.
Departments including WASA, LDA, and PHA have begun water sprinkling across the city to reduce pollution levels. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz praised the coordinated efforts of all departments, highlighting the use of modern technology and real-time data to tackle the worsening smog situation.
