Lahore has been ranked the most polluted city in the world, with air quality reaching “hazardous” levels, as smog continues to choke large parts of Pakistan.
According to IQAir, the air quality index (AQI) in Lahore reached a staggering 303, far surpassing the “hazardous” threshold.
Meanwhile, Karachi, the country’s largest city and economic hub, recorded an AQI hovering around 200, placing it in the “very unhealthy” range and marking it as the fourth most polluted city globally.
The concentration of PM2.5 pollutants in Lahore’s air was 24.2 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended guidelines, exacerbating health risks for residents. The air quality in Karachi fluctuated throughout the day, mostly above 200 after midnight, before slightly improving to 197.
Both cities, which are home to millions and large industrial units, are facing significant pollution from vehicle emissions and factory outputs. However, the impact of the smog crisis is not limited to Lahore and Karachi.
Multan emerged as the second most polluted city in Pakistan, with an AQI of 294. Rawalpindi and Peshawar followed closely behind with AQIs of 220 and 204, respectively. The federal capital Islamabad ranked seventh with an AQI of 170.
The smog crisis has also raised concerns about its long-term impact on public health. According to experts, before these extreme pollution levels, about 12% of deaths in children under five in Pakistan were attributed to air pollution.
The full health impact of this year’s unprecedented pollution levels, especially on children and pregnant women, is expected to be devastating.