Lahore again tops global pollution rankings as toxic smog engulfs region

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A severe smog crisis continues to blanket South Asia, with Lahore and New Delhi facing dangerously high levels of air pollution that threatens the health of millions of residents.

On Saturday morning, Lahore registered a hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) of 388 at 9:43 am, according to the Swiss air quality tracker, AQI, topping the global pollution rankings.

New Delhi followed a close second, with an AQI of 293, reflecting poor air quality.

A thick haze, fueled by a combination of vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, burning of seasonal crops, and stagnant weather, has enveloped both cities, reducing visibility and causing widespread respiratory problems.

Shanghai and Karachi filled the third and fourth positions with AQIs of 205 and 199 respectively, reflecting the extent of the regional air quality crisis.

However, the situation quickly evolved by 10:15 am, when New Delhi climbed to the top spot with a “bad” AQI reading of 456, overtaking Lahore, which came second with a slightly lower, but still effective, AQI of 332.

At 10:15 am, the most important pollutant in Lahore was fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which measured 241 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 48.2 times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) annual guideline value.

Karachi retained its fourth position but experienced a deterioration in air quality, with 231 KAQ being classified as “extremely unhealthy”.

This rapid change highlights the volatile nature of pollution levels in the region and the urgent need for measures to protect public health.

Other cities in Punjab also faced effective air quality levels, with Gujranwala recording 431 AQ and PM2.5 concentration 61.4 times the WHO limit, and Faisalabad reaching 337 AQ with particulate matter nearly 49 times the recommended threshold.

Authorities in Punjab have attributed the poor air quality to strong winds from India and neighboring regions. The toxic haze has shrouded much of Punjab and northern India for several days, severely reducing visibility and causing health complaints such as throat irritation, coughing and difficulty breathing.

Public health experts are urging residents to limit outdoor activities and wear protective masks when necessary.

The latest advisory in IT department of Punjab has said that strong winds driven by pollution from India are affecting Lahore’s air quality.

“The average AQI in Lahore is expected to be between 320 and 360. While pollution levels are high, they are currently under some control. Air quality is expected to improve between 1 am and 5 pm.”

Meanwhile, the situation also affected transportation due to low visibility due to fog and smog.

M1 Motorway from Peshawar to Rashakai was temporarily closed due to dense fog. However, according to a spokesperson for the Motorway Police, the motorway has now been reopened to all traffic after visibility has improved.

Officials have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel during foggy conditions to prevent accidents and ensure safety.

The smog season coincides with the arrival of winter, when cooler temperatures, stagnant air, vehicle and factory emissions, and large-scale crop burning trap pollutants close to the ground in Punjab’s plains.

According to the WHO, this annual trend brings serious health risks, as prolonged exposure to such polluted air increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory diseases.

This worsening air quality poses a serious challenge across the region, requiring urgent attention and public support to reduce health impacts during the smog season.