LAHORE: Lahore has once again been declared the world’s most polluted city, as air quality in the provincial capital continues to worsen despite ongoing government efforts to curb smog.
According to the latest Air Quality Index (AQI) report from IQAir, Lahore recorded a hazardous AQI of 349, placing it at the top of the global pollution list. The city’s air quality falls within the “very unhealthy” category, posing severe health risks to its millions of residents.
Delhi followed closely behind with an AQI of 283, while Tashkent in Uzbekistan ranked third at 192. Other South Asian cities, including Karachi (165), Kolkata (163), and Dhaka (158), were also listed among the top ten most polluted cities in the world.
Despite frequent smog warnings, temporary industrial shutdowns, and anti-smog campaigns, Lahore remains engulfed in a dense haze caused by vehicle emissions, dust, and the burning of crop residue.
The Punjab government has vowed to strengthen its efforts against smog, but visible improvements remain limited. With winter approaching, experts warn that air quality may deteriorate further unless long-term, comprehensive action is taken to address the underlying causes of pollution.
