Lahore Declared World's Most Polluted City Amid Hazardous Smog Levels

Lahore Grapples with Hazardous Air Quality

Lahore, the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province, was designated the world's most polluted city on Friday, October 24, 2025, as a dense blanket of smog enveloped the metropolis. The alarming declaration came as the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to a 'hazardous' level of 362, according to global air quality monitoring platforms. This critical situation triggered widespread public health warnings across the city.

Specific areas within Lahore experienced even more extreme pollution. Readings showed the Shalimar area hitting a staggering 690 AQI, followed by Shadman at 611, and Syed Maratib Ali Road at 609. Other localities like Lower Mall recorded 687 and Iqbal Town reached 585, all falling into the 'emergency range' and posing severe health risks to residents.

Root Causes of Lahore's Persistent Smog

The recurring smog crisis in Lahore is attributed to a combination of factors, exacerbated by specific meteorological conditions during the winter months. Environmental experts point to several primary contributors:

• Vehicular Emissions: A significant number of older vehicles with less efficient fuel combustion and outdated emission control systems contribute heavily to air pollution.
• Industrial Pollution: Emissions from various industries, including textile, cement, and manufacturing, as well as coal burned by thousands of brick kilns, release high levels of particulate matter and harmful gases.
• Agricultural Burning: The seasonal practice of crop residue burning, particularly rice stalks, in surrounding agricultural areas, is a major source of smoke and particulate matter.
• Waste Burning: Open burning of solid waste, tires, plastic, and household garbage further degrades air quality.
• Construction Dust: Large-scale construction projects also contribute to airborne particulate matter.
• Meteorological Conditions: Calm winds, lower temperatures, and increased humidity during winter months trap pollutants close to the ground, preventing their dispersion and leading to dense smog formation.

Public Health Advisories and Government Interventions

In response to the hazardous air quality, health authorities issued urgent warnings, advising citizens to take precautionary measures. Residents were urged to wear masks when outdoors, limit outdoor exposure, and ensure that children and the elderly remain indoors to minimize health risks. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) warned that the thick layer of smog was likely to persist over eastern Punjab, with no immediate respite expected.

The government of Punjab has initiated various measures to combat the environmental emergency. The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab issued a smog alert and implemented a complete ban on the burning of several items, including solid waste, tires, plastic, polythene bags, rubber or leather, crop residue, and household garbage. Authorities have also ordered strict monitoring of industrial emissions and vehicular smoke, with legal action threatened against violators.

Furthermore, anti-smog cannons, truck-mounted devices that spray fine mists of water to settle dust and airborne particles, have been deployed in Lahore for the first time this winter. While previous attempts, such as artificial rainfall, had limited impact, officials hope these new measures will help reduce air pollution. The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has also rolled out a comprehensive Vehicular Emission Control Action Plan (VECAP) in Islamabad, which includes roadside inspections and a push for electric vehicles, indicating broader national efforts to tackle air pollution.