Lahore Tops Global Pollution Rankings As Smog Response Expands

Lahore again ranked as the world’s most polluted major city on Friday morning after its air quality deteriorated into the unhealthy category. The development prompted Punjab authorities to intensify anti-smog operations across several pollution hotspots in the provincial capital.

The city recorded an air quality index of 167 on IQAir’s live global ranking earlier in the day, placing it ahead of Dhaka at 164 and Cairo at 158. Provincial authorities later reported Lahore’s AQI at 236, saying weak wind movement and lower temperatures had helped pollutants accumulate in the atmosphere.

Officials said winds were moving from the southeast, with speeds expected to remain between five and six kilometres per hour from 8am until noon before increasing to eight to 10 kilometres per hour between 1pm and 2pm. Authorities said stronger wind later in the day could help disperse pollutants and improve air quality.

The ranking was based on live hourly data, meaning Lahore’s position could shift during the day as atmospheric conditions changed. Even with those changes, the city’s return to the top of the pollution table highlighted the scale of the smog challenge as cooler weather begins to affect air movement.

Punjab authorities said an emergency response was launched in high-AQI areas on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Smog guns were kept operational in pollution hotspots, while water bowsers and sprayers were deployed to reduce road dust in key locations.

Officials said water sprinkling operations were underway along the Ring Road service line in the Hando area, GT Road near UET and Shalimar Town, as well as Burki, DHA and Multan Road. Drone squads, night squads and Hawk Eye field teams were also monitoring pollution sources around the clock.

The provincial government reported several enforcement actions across Punjab during the previous 24 hours. Environmental teams inspected 319 industrial units, sealed 15 facilities and registered one FIR over alleged violations, while fines worth Rs1.65 million were imposed.

Authorities also inspected 421 brick kilns, demolished five and sealed eight, with five FIRs registered and penalties of Rs1.5 million imposed. A separate crackdown on substandard plastic led to inspections at 267 locations, confiscation of 1,248 kilogrammes of plastic, six sealed locations and Rs117,000 in fines.

Officials said commercial cooking operations were also checked as part of efforts to reduce smoke emissions. They inspected 249 barbecue and commercial cooking sites, confirmed suction hoods at 88 locations and sealed 28 establishments.

With the harvesting season underway, the government has also increased monitoring to prevent crop-residue burning. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb warned farmers against setting residue on fire and urged residents to avoid activities that add to smog, saying enforcement and preventive operations were being carried out at the same time.