Punjab continues to struggle with worsening air pollution as Faisalabad recorded the most dangerous air quality on Wednesday, reaching a hazardous AQI level of 533, according to an international environment tracker.
Gujranwala followed with an AQI of 370, while Lahore stood at 269. Several other cities, including Rawalpindi, Jhelum, and Bahawalpur, also crossed the 200 mark.
With winter setting in, smog has once again tightened its grip on the province, a recurring issue driven by vehicle emissions, crop burning, and stagnant cold air.
Last year, Lahore’s pollution levels shot up to more than 80 times the WHO safe limit, forcing the government to shut down schools, shorten business hours, and impose other restrictions to protect public health.