Lahore smog eases, yet pollution remains highest in Pakistan

Lahore’s air quality has shown improvement, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping below 300 on Sunday and maintaining this level into Monday.

This improvement marks a notable shift for the city, which had been shrouded in smog for over a month. Lahore has now dropped to fourth place in the global rankings of the most polluted cities, a position it previously dominated.

The enhancement in air quality is attributed to a change in wind direction. Currently, New Delhi, India, leads the list of the world’s most polluted cities with a hazardous AQI of 582.

Despite noting an improvement in its AQI, the capital of Punjab continues to hold the title of the most polluted city in Pakistan.

On Monday, the AQI was recorded at 267 in the provincial capital around 9:30 this morning, registering the fourth worst air quality in the world while the (PM2.5) pollutants in the air amounted to 191.8, which is 38.4 times higher than the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline value.

From Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) ranged between 300 and 450, levels classified as “hazardous” by Swiss air quality firm IQAir. Since then, the AQI has stabilized between 200 and 300, categorized as “very unhealthy.”

Punjab’s seasonal air pollution crisis is worsened by cold, dense air trapping dust, smoke, and emissions, especially from farm fires.

The recent decline in smog levels allowed schools in Lahore and Multan to reopen last week after a week-long closure due to hazardous pollution. Students are now required to wear face masks, and outdoor sports remain suspended at educational institutions.

Prolonged exposure to toxic air carries severe health risks, with the WHO linking it to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. A University of Chicago study has revealed that life expectancy in Lahore, home to 14 million residents, has already declined by 7.5 years due to high pollution levels.

Experts suggest that tackling this smog crisis requires modernizing vehicle fleets, reforming farming practices, and transitioning to renewable energy sources, critical steps for addressing the annual smog that impacts millions in Pakistan and India.