Lahore Tops Global Air Pollution Ranking as AQI Reaches 296

Lahore most polluted city ranking returned to the top of the global list on Wednesday morning, October 28, as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 296. The reading was recorded at 10 am, according to live data from Swiss air quality monitoring platform IQAir.

Cairo ranked second with an AQI of 289, followed by Delhi at 272. Tashkent recorded 186, while Karachi ranked fifth with an AQI of 173.

Under the US AQI scale, Lahore’s reading falls in the “Very Unhealthy” category. Children, older adults and people with asthma, heart disease or other respiratory conditions face greater risks from polluted air.

Colder Weather Adds to Lahore’s Smog Problem

The latest deterioration in air quality coincided with colder early-morning conditions, when smog reduced visibility across parts of Lahore. Air pollution remains a recurring public health concern in Pakistan during autumn and winter.

Vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, construction dust, crop-residue burning and unfavourable weather conditions all contribute to the buildup of pollutants.

Punjab Government Expands Anti-Smog Measures

Environment Protection Agency (EPA) spokesperson Sajid Bashir said authorities were monitoring industrial emissions and installing equipment to record pollution levels. He attributed the worsening conditions partly to changing weather and easterly winds carrying polluted air from areas near India’s border into Lahore and central Punjab.

Bashir said the government was procuring 30 additional modern fog cannons mounted on electric trucks. Anti-smog guns were being deployed first in areas with higher pollution levels, particularly where PM10 particulate matter was elevated.

The equipment is intended to suppress dust on roads and nearby areas. Punjab Climate Watch teams are also inspecting industries in three shifts, registering violations and imposing fines, according to the spokesperson.

Construction activity in Lahore and other cities was another source of pollution identified by Bashir. He added that authorities were taking steps to prevent crop-stubble burning, while acknowledging that tackling the problem would take time.

Lahore Continues to Face Severe Air Pollution

Lahore has recorded high pollution levels several times this month. The city also topped IQAir’s global ranking on October 2, when its AQI reached 167, and ranked among the most polluted cities again last week as conditions worsened.

With winter approaching, residents are advised to limit strenuous outdoor activities when pollution levels are high. Keeping windows closed when outdoor air quality is poor and taking extra care to protect children, older adults and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions can also help reduce exposure.