Islamabad, Nov 22: Lahore has once again ranked as the world’s most polluted city, according to IQAir’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which recorded a score of 189.
This comes after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lifted outdoor activity restrictions despite ongoing concerns over public health.
Delhi (186) and Ulaanbaatar (170) followed closely behind, while other cities in the top 10 included Tashkent (160), Mumbai (152), and Dhaka (143).
In Lahore, certain areas registered alarming AQI levels, such as Sunder Industrial Estate (285) and DHA Phase 8 (269). Experts warned that PM2.5 levels in the city were 21.8 times higher than the World Health Organization’s guidelines, indicating a serious risk of returning smog if preventive measures were not upheld.
Despite the pollution warnings, the EPA allowed outdoor activities to resume, including access to parks, playgrounds, and sports events, advising the public to wear masks and urging vulnerable groups to take precautions. Additionally, shops and markets in major cities, including Lahore and Faisalabad, must close by 8:00 PM, with penalties for violators under the Pakistan Penal Code.
The Meteorological Department predicted cold and dry weather across the country with light rain and snowfall in Gilgit-Baltistan, while smog and fog patches are expected in Punjab. In a crackdown on smog-related violations, Punjab Police arrested 33 individuals and imposed fines totaling Rs. 8.88 million for actions such as burning crop residues and using smoky vehicles.
