LAHORE – Pakistan’s second largest city of Lahore has once again claimed the title of the world’s most polluted city, surpassing New Delhi in real-time air quality index (AQI) rankings, according to the latest data from real-time AQI stations across Pakistan.
The AQI readings for Lahore have reached alarming levels, with multiple stations reporting hazardous air quality. The most affected areas include the DC office at Lower Mall, which recorded a staggering AQI of 675, followed closely by FF Pakistan and Powerzone Head Office, both registering AQI levels of 585. Other locations, including the IEEE Punjab University and City School Model Town Link Road, also reported AQI values ranging between 515 and 559.
These figures paint a dire picture of Lahore’s ongoing battle with air pollution, with levels well beyond the safe limit for human exposure. The World Health Organization recommends AQI levels to be below 50 for a healthy environment, but Lahore’s worst-hit areas are registering numbers that are more than 10 times that threshold.
Lahore’s pollution crisis is exacerbated by various factors, including vehicular emissions, industrial discharge, and the seasonal crop burning in surrounding areas.
These combined pollutants have contributed to the city’s status as the most polluted urban center globally, knocking New Delhi, the traditionally high-ranking city, into second place on the AQI scale.
Experts are now calling for immediate government action to address the environmental health risks posed by the toxic air in Lahore, urging stronger regulations on industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and agricultural practices that contribute to hazardous air quality.
As residents of Lahore brace for the continued effects of pollution, it’s clear that urgent measures are needed to protect public health and reverse the environmental degradation that the city is facing.
Key AQI Rankings (Top 10 Stations in Lahore)
1. DC Office, Lower Mall – 675
2. FF Pakistan – 585
3. Powerzone Head Office – 585
4. IEEE, Punjab University – 559
5. City School Model Town Link Rd 2 – 515
6. City School Allama Iqbal Town – 511
7. Syed Maratib Ali Road – 509
8. Pakistan Engineering Services (Pvt) Ltd. – 507
9. City School, Shadman Market – 503
10. University of Education, Township – 496
As Lahore faces its environmental health challenges, the impact on its residents is already evident, with rising health complaints and hospital admissions related to respiratory issues.
