Lahore Tops World’s Most Polluted Cities Again with AQI at 404

Civil Secretariat, Shadman, Gulberg among worst-hit areas as smog crisis deepens across Punjab

There appears to be no respite for Lahore’s residents as the provincial capital once again ranked as the most polluted city in the world, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 404 on Saturday, according to 24NewsHD TV.

The alarming figure placed Lahore ahead of New Delhi, which recorded an AQI of 308, highlighting the deepening air pollution crisis across South Asia.

Lahore Chokes Under Smog

Key areas such as Civil Secretariat, Shadman, Gulberg, Lower Mall, and Iqbal Town were the worst-affected, with visibility dropping and residents complaining of eye irritation, breathing difficulties, and persistent coughs.

Meteorological officials have warned that no rainfall is expected in the coming days, reducing hopes of any natural relief. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 31°C, with the minimum at 18°C, conditions that often exacerbate smog formation.

Health experts have urged citizens to wear face masks, limit outdoor exposure, and use air purifiers indoors wherever possible.

Smog Spreads Across Punjab

The situation is equally grim in other major cities of Punjab, including Faisalabad, Multan, and Gujranwala, where air quality has also dipped to “hazardous” levels.

The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a fresh alert, warning that dense smog will continue to blanket most of the province from November through mid-December.

Despite repeated government claims of anti-smog action, crop residue burning remains rampant in rural areas, contributing heavily to particulate pollution.

“Without strict enforcement and regional coordination, smog will remain a recurring disaster every winter,” warned an environmental expert.

Karachi Ranks 7th Among Most Polluted Cities

Meanwhile, Karachi also made it to the global list of polluted cities, ranking seventh with an AQI of 154 — categorized as “unhealthy”.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the port city’s temperature peaked at 39°C, while humidity stood at 40%. Winds blew from the east at 3 km/h, offering little relief from stagnant air conditions.

Pakistan’s Ongoing Air Quality Crisis

Environmental watchdogs have long warned that air pollution poses one of the gravest health threats to urban Pakistan. Studies link prolonged exposure to smog with increased risks of respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and reduced life expectancy.

Lahore’s air quality routinely crosses hazardous levels each winter, largely due to vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and post-harvest crop burning — a pattern experts say could worsen without sustained policy enforcement.