Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) once again soared past 1,000, leaving residents struggling in dense, choking smog as Punjab authorities grapple with curbing the city’s escalating pollution levels. On Sunday, Lahore topped the global pollution charts, signaling a worsening environmental crisis in Pakistan’s provincial capital.
The city’s AQI climbed to a dangerous 1,073 by mid-morning on the real-time pollution monitor by IQAir, with the hazardous PM2.5 pollutant levels reaching 613 — more than 122 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limit. At one stage, the AQI surged to 1,194 before dropping to 766 by noon, but the thick smog blanketing Lahore continued to bring visibility to nearly zero.
Environmental experts have advised residents to limit outdoor exposure, use masks, and stay hydrated to minimize health risks. The city, home to 14 million people, has been hit hard by a toxic mix of pollution, including low-grade diesel fumes, seasonal agricultural burning, and stagnant cooler weather. On Saturday, Lahore’s AQI spiked to an “unprecedented” 1,067, according to a senior government official.
Smog is an annual winter ordeal for Lahore, exacerbated by nearby crop burning and emissions that significantly impact public health. According to WHO, such pollution can lead to severe health issues, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. Many outdoor workers in Lahore report difficulties breathing, eye irritation, and frequent coughing, impacting both health and daily life.
In response, Punjab authorities have imposed a “Green Lockdown” in the city’s most polluted areas. This includes bans on construction, certain vehicle operations, outdoor cooking with coal or wood, and the use of commercial generators without emissions controls. The government has also mandated masks, restricted outdoor activities at schools, and intensified vehicle inspections to cut down on pollution from transport.
Despite these measures, smog levels across Punjab remain high, affecting other regions like Multan, Sialkot, Gujranwala, and Bahawalpur. The Pakistan Meteorological Department warns that dry conditions may further aggravate the smog, particularly in central and southern Punjab.
Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of following expert guidelines to protect against the hazardous air. She noted that winds from neighboring India, also experiencing severe pollution, are likely adding to the smog levels in Pakistan. New Delhi, often second to Lahore on the IQAir list, recorded an AQI of 511 around 10 a.m.
As pollution intensifies across South Asia, India has proposed regional collaboration to address the crisis, a notion Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz supported, suggesting diplomatic efforts to tackle the shared environmental challenge.
