LAHORE: The choking smog that has engulfed Pakistan’s major cities pushed Lahore and Karachi to the top of the world’s pollution charts on Friday, according to data from Swiss air quality monitoring firm IQAir.
Lahore once again claimed the title of the most polluted city in the world, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 193, while Karachi followed closely behind at 186 — both falling in the “unhealthy” category.
New Delhi, India’s capital, ranked third with an AQI of 182, IQAir reported.
At 2:00 p.m. Friday, Lahore’s PM2.5 concentration — the most dangerous type of fine particulate matter — was measured at 116 µg/m³, which IQAir noted is over 23 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended annual limit.
The monitoring agency urged residents to avoid outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear protective masks, and use air purifiers indoors.
Medical experts warn that smog exposure can trigger eye irritation, sore throats, coughing, and breathing difficulties, while prolonged inhalation of polluted air increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Pakistan’s smog season typically starts in late October, peaks between November and January, and often lingers until February.
Lahore has battled recurring smog crises in recent years, driven by crop residue burning, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust fumes. The problem intensifies every winter when stagnant air traps pollutants near the surface.
To combat worsening air quality, the Lahore Regional Transport Authority has stepped up its operations against smoke-emitting vehicles.
“We have inspected nearly 10,000 vehicles, impounded around 4,000, and issued more than 7,000 challans (fine slips),” said Rana Mohsin, the authority’s secretary.
According to him, the fines collected in October alone amounted to Rs90 million (approximately $320,000), and 150 police cases were registered against drivers found operating polluting vehicles.
Authorities have also deployed anti-smog guns, which spray mist into the air in an attempt to settle dust and reduce airborne particles.
As Pakistan’s major urban centers continue to choke under layers of toxic haze, environmental experts warn that without sustained enforcement and regional cooperation, the smog crisis could become an annual catastrophe.
Read more: https://nayakashmir.com/lhc-upholds-ccp-probe-into-car-maker-orders-six-month-deadline/
