LAHORE – Air pollution levels amid alarming smog have intensified across Punjab, with Lahore ranking as the world’s most polluted major city once again after recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 458.
According to data from air quality monitoring organisation IQAir, Lahore topped the global list of the most polluted major cities. India’s capital, New Delhi, ranked second with an AQI of 244, followed by Kolkata in third place with 235.
Several other locations across Punjab also reported extremely high pollution levels. Multan recorded the province’s highest reported AQI at 719, followed by Kahna Nau at 655, the CERP Office area at 611, Barkhi Road Paragon at 609, Allama Iqbal Town at 583 and Raiwind at 511.
Within Lahore, pollution readings remained particularly high in several neighbourhoods. AQI levels reached 500 in Kahna Nau, Multan Road and Safari Park. Gulberg III recorded 483, while Barkhi Road registered 482. The reading at ARC Lahore stood at 456, while Model Town’s A Block recorded 447.
Meanwhile, figures released by the Punjab Air Quality Index showed that Lahore’s pollution level reached 430 at 7am, marking an increase of 70 points compared with the previous day.
According to the provincial monitoring figures, Kasur topped the list of the most polluted cities in Punjab with an AQI of 462, while Lahore ranked second at 430.
Other cities also reported elevated pollution levels, including Vehari at 378, Pakpattan at 374, Rajanpur at 366, Jhang at 346 and Muzaffargarh at 340.
At specific monitoring locations, Punjab University recorded an AQI of 439, while DHA Phase 6 and GT Road both reported readings of 404.
The persistently high pollution levels have raised serious health concerns for residents of Lahore and other parts of Punjab, where hazardous air quality continues to affect urban communities.
