In a concerning environmental development, Peshawar has taken the lead as the world’s most polluted city, surpassing Lahore and Karachi. The escalating smog crisis has propelled Peshawar’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to a startling 324, marking it as the top global pollution hotspot.
Lahore, once notorious for high pollution levels, now trails as the second most-polluted city globally, with an AQI of 269. Certain areas in Punjab’s capital have experienced even more severe conditions, with AQI levels spiking to an alarming 400 at times.
As of 4 PM today, Peshawar’s AQI remains critical at 223, maintaining its position as the most polluted city in Pakistan. Following closely are Rawalpindi and Lahore, with AQI values of 172 and 165, respectively. These figures are dynamic, reflecting the fluctuating nature of air quality.
The Pakistan Engineering Services area in Lahore recorded an alarming AQI of 403, indicating severe pollution. Other areas like Brevzon and The Mall reported dangerously high AQI levels, standing at 397 and 388, respectively.
This surge in pollution levels in Peshawar and other cities underscores the immediate need for environmental interventions.
Urgent action from the government and relevant authorities is imperative to address this smog crisis, emphasizing the critical role of public awareness and proactive measures to safeguard both citizen health and the environment.