Despite the Punjab government promoting anti-smog guns as a key measure to fight pollution, Lahore residents once again woke up choking on suffocating air — among the most toxic in the world.
According to IQAir data, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a hazardous 443 on Friday morning, placing it at the top of the list of the world’s most polluted cities.
The city’s air quality has plunged to extremely unsafe levels, far beyond the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Following Lahore, Delhi recorded an AQI of 178, while Kuwait City ranked third with 168. Other cities suffering from unhealthy air included Karachi (163), Doha (153), and Beijing (152).
Dubai also featured among the world’s top 10 most polluted cities, with an AQI of 135 — a level deemed unsafe for sensitive populations.
Environmental experts blame Lahore’s severe smog on unchecked vehicular emissions, industrial pollutants, and widespread crop burning in nearby regions. Weather conditions are further exacerbating the problem by trapping pollutants near the ground, worsening the city’s toxic haze.
