Lahore tops global pollution index as smog chokes city

Lahore ranked as the world’s most polluted city on Sunday as a persistent blanket of smog continued to grip the metropolis and surrounding areas. Real-time data from air quality tracker IQAir showed a US Air Quality Index of 349 at 9:43am, placing the city in the “hazardous” category. The PM2.5 concentration reached 249.5 micrograms per cubic metre—nearly 50 times above the World Health Organization’s annual guideline.

The toxic haze has reduced visibility and triggered a surge in health complaints, including throat irritation, breathing difficulties and itchy eyes. Public health experts urged residents to limit outdoor activity and to wear protective masks if they must venture out.

The severe readings coincide with the onset of winter, when cooler temperatures, weak winds and emissions from vehicles, factories and crop burning trap pollutants near the surface across Punjab. Karachi, by comparison, recorded a US AQI of 165—unhealthy for sensitive groups—with PM2.5 levels of 74.8 µg/m³, ranking fifth among the world’s most polluted cities. New Delhi also faced significant smog, recording an AQI of 327 in the “very unhealthy” band, with PM2.5 peaking at 448 µg/m³.

Officials noted that South Asia typically experiences a seasonal spike in fine particulate pollution each winter due to transport emissions, industrial activity, construction dust and agricultural residue burning. Prolonged exposure can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and chronic respiratory illness, experts warned.

Authorities said Punjab’s first advanced Smog Monitoring and Control Centre continues to collect air quality data, while anti-smog guns are being deployed at identified hotspots across Lahore in an effort to bring down particulate concentrations.