Lahore Tops Global Pollution Charts
Lahore once again became the world’s most polluted city as smog levels spiked following a brief respite. According to Swiss monitoring group IQAir, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to a hazardous 502 on Friday morning, dropping slightly to 485 by 9:30 PM. This marks a sharp rise from an “unhealthy” AQI of 184 recorded a day earlier when the provincial government eased restrictions
on outdoor activities.
India’s New Delhi Slips, Multan Faces Severe Pollution
India’s New Delhi, previously leading the global pollution rankings, moved to the second spot. Within Pakistan, Multan emerged as the second most polluted city, with an AQI of 354, classified as “hazardous.”
Punjab’s Smog Crisis Worsens
Despite temporary improvements in air quality, Punjab continues to grapple with toxic air exacerbated by emissions, dust, and smoke from stubble burning in neighboring India. The dense smog, earlier declared a “national disaster” by Senior Minister for Environmental Protection Marriyum Aurangzeb, has plunged the province into a health and environmental crisis.
Health Risks of Toxic Air
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that prolonged exposure to such hazardous air can lead to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and severe respiratory issues. Lahore’s PM2.5 particle levels are 63.6 times higher than the acceptable threshold, posing a severe threat to residents’ health.
Restrictions Eased Despite Hazards
On Thursday, the Punjab government lifted bans on outdoor activities, citing improvements in air quality. Previously, authorities had imposed strict measures, including school closures and bans on public gatherings, open-air cooking, and construction to combat the smog crisis.
Recurring Winter Woes
Lahore’s air pollution worsens every winter as emissions from low-grade fuel, factories, and vehicles mix with smoke from seasonal crop burning. These pollutants are trapped by cooler temperatures and stagnant winds, creating a dense, toxic blanket over the city.
The persistent smog continues to highlight the need for urgent action to address pollution and protect public health in Punjab.
