Lahore has been declared Pakistan’s most contaminated urban center and the world’s second-most polluted metropolis, compelling provincial authorities to activate an Emergency Action Plan as the city is enveloped by a severe smog crisis with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 266.
Specific readings revealed hazardous air levels across the provincial capital. The Askari 10 area recorded an alarming AQI of 414, while Syed Maratib Ali Road measured 424 and the DHA neighborhood registered 328, far exceeding safe limits for human health.
Officials attribute the sharp decline in air quality to contaminated air masses drifting from India, worsened by emissions related to Diwali celebrations. India’s capital, New Delhi, currently holds the unfortunate title of the world’s most polluted city with an AQI of 680, with Lahore following closely. This cross-border atmospheric drift is a significant contributor to the current environmental emergency.
Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb confirmed that winds carrying pollutants from Delhi, Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, and Patiala are directly impacting Lahore. She noted that cities in southern Punjab, including Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar, are also experiencing the effects of the incoming hazardous air.
In response, the government has initiated a stringent crackdown on smoke-emitting vehicles and has forbidden any vehicle lacking a valid fitness certificate from operating on the roads. Minister Aurangzeb also directed that all construction sites and goods-transport vehicles must be kept covered to mitigate dust pollution.
As part of the emergency protocols, wearing masks has been made compulsory for motorcyclists. Drivers of cars are advised to keep their windows closed, and residents have been urged to seal their homes against the contaminated outside air and to minimize outdoor activities.
While authorities anticipate a minor improvement in air quality between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM, a light haze and reduced visibility are expected to persist throughout the afternoon, prompting continued caution among citizens.