LAHORE – The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore continues to remain at dangerous levels, despite the Punjab government’s large-scale anti-smog measures coinciding with Diwali celebrations. The city has once again been ranked among the most polluted in the world, leaving residents struggling to breathe clean air.
According to the latest data, Lahore’s Air Quality Index soared to 332 on Monday, placing the city in the “hazardous” category. The PM2.5 concentration was recorded at 139 µg/m³ — nearly 28 times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe limit of 5 µg/m³. Experts warn that these high pollution levels can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems, especially among vulnerable groups.
The Punjab government has initiated a series of emergency measures to curb pollution, including the operation of anti-smog guns and extensive water sprinkling across major roads and industrial areas. However, low wind speeds and dry weather have prevented pollutants from dispersing, allowing toxic particles to linger in the air.
According to the Punjab Smog Monitoring Centre, light winds blowing at 4–7 km/h from Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Haryana are pushing polluted air into Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, and other southern cities. This cross-border movement of pollutants has intensified the region’s poor Air Quality Index readings.
Authorities began using anti-smog guns overnight at Thokar Niaz Beg and other high-risk zones, while early morning water sprinkling continued to suppress dust and airborne particles. Despite these efforts, forecasts suggest Lahore’s AQI will range between 210 and 230 over the next 24 hours, keeping the city in the “very unhealthy” category.
The Punjab Smog Monitoring Centre has issued a public health advisory urging citizens to wear protective masks, minimize outdoor activities, and keep children and elderly individuals indoors. Officials have also emphasized that without rainfall or stronger winds, smog is likely to persist throughout the week.
In other news read more about Happy Diwali: Pakistani Leaders Extend Warm Greetings to Hindu Community on Festival of Lights
The worsening Air Quality Index in Lahore underscores the urgent need for long-term strategies, including stricter industrial regulations, better waste management, and reduced vehicle emissions to safeguard public health.
