Lahore, Pakistan, has been designated the world’s most polluted city, with air quality metrics reportedly six times worse than Delhi’s. This severe air pollution crisis led the Pakistani government to initiate emergency measures to safeguard public health, including school closures and work-from-home orders. Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) readings have consistently surpassed dangerous thresholds, posing significant health risks, especially to vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
The city’s alarming pollution levels are attributed to a combination of industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, agricultural burning, and weather patterns that trap pollutants in the air. The winter season brings a dense layer of smog, worsened by temperature inversions that prevent pollutants from dispersing. Environmental experts are urging Pakistan to adopt long-term strategies, such as tightening emission controls and expanding green spaces, to address this escalating health crisis.
