Lahore has once again been ranked as the world’s most polluted city, according to the latest data released by Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir.
As of Friday morning, the city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 232, placing it in the “very unhealthy” category. The report also showed worsening air conditions across South Asia, with Delhi at 207, Cairo at 183, and Kolkata at 181, following Lahore among the most polluted cities.
Other cities in the top 10 included Kinshasa (175), Dhaka (160), Karachi (159), Kuwait City (156), Tashkent (155), and Jakarta (134).
Environmental experts warned that Lahore’s ongoing smog crisis, driven by vehicle emissions, crop burning, and industrial pollution, continues to threaten public health.
They noted that long-term exposure to such high pollution levels can lead to respiratory diseases, heart problems, and a shorter life expectancy.
While the Punjab government has introduced measures like restricting crop burning and checking vehicle emissions, experts say enforcement remains weak and inconsistent.