Lahore Ranked World’s Most Polluted City as Air Quality Deteriorates Sharply
Punjab Makes Masks Mandatory for Motorcyclists Amid Smog Crisis LAHORE: Lahore has once again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities, with air quality levels reaching hazardous levels on Sunday, according to Pakistan’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 332, placing it in the “hazardous” category, while…
Punjab Makes Masks Mandatory for Motorcyclists Amid Smog Crisis
LAHORE: Lahore has once again topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities, with air quality levels reaching hazardous levels on Sunday, according to Pakistan’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 332, placing it in the “hazardous” category, while Faisalabad followed closely at 325. Other cities also recorded alarming pollution levels — Sheikhupura (311), Dera Ghazi Khan (239), Gujranwala (233), and Multan (224).
According to the EPA’s classification, an AQI of 0–100 is considered good, 101–200 moderately polluted but tolerable, and 300–500 falls into the highly polluted and hazardous range. Long-term exposure at these levels can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems, particularly for vulnerable groups.
In response, the Punjab government has made the use of face masks mandatory for all motorcyclists. Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said that polluted air masses from Delhi, Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, and Patiala are drifting toward Lahore, worsening the smog situation across southern Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar.
She added that authorities have ordered the covering of construction sites and transport vehicles carrying materials. Residents have been advised to keep vehicle windows closed and seal doors and windows at home.
Aurangzeb further noted that a slight improvement in air quality is expected between 1 PM and 5 PM, though light haze will persist. Anti-smog guns and water sprinkling campaigns are ongoing in Lahore and other major cities.
“The fight against smog requires collective responsibility,” she said. “Every citizen’s participation can bring meaningful change and success.”
