Lahore Tops Global Pollution Rankings as Smog Intensifies Across Punjab
Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on local sources of air pollution
LAHORE: (Staff Reporter) – Lahore has once again emerged as the world’s most polluted city as air quality deteriorates across Punjab, with pollution from Diwali celebrations in India and polluted air entering from Indian Punjab worsening the region’s smog crisis.
According to the latest air quality readings, Lahore recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 303, placing it in the very unhealthy category.
Several areas of the provincial capital reported dangerously high pollution levels. Gulberg II recorded an AQI of 639, followed by Syed Maratib Ali Road at 475 and Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate at 470. Barki Road registered 370, while Allama Iqbal Town recorded an AQI of 342.
The situation was even more alarming in other parts of Punjab, where Multan recorded an exceptionally high AQI of 971, while Bahawalpur registered 796, indicating hazardous air quality.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, temperatures in Lahore were expected to range between 18 and 29 degrees Celsius. Wind speeds remained low at just two kilometres per hour, while humidity stood at 70 per cent, contributing to the persistence of smog.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has intensified its crackdown on local sources of air pollution as authorities step up efforts to control the worsening environmental crisis.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said enforcement measures were being taken against activities contributing to deteriorating air quality, while relevant departments were closely monitoring pollution levels across the province.
She said anti-smog operations were underway in areas with high AQI readings, with authorities using smog-control guns and carrying out water-spraying operations to reduce airborne pollutants.
As part of the ongoing enforcement campaign, officials inspected 28 industrial units across Punjab. Following the inspections, three industrial units and 11 brick kilns were sealed for violating environmental regulations.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.