Lahore tops global pollution rankings as hazardous smog blankets city

The Punjab government firmly denied on Wednesday that smog and environmental issues were political matters, emphasizing the critical impact on the lives, health, and future of millions. Senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that smog was a "scientific, environmental and public health challenge," during a press conference.

Lahore continued to experience severe air quality, ranking among the most polluted cities globally with an air quality index (AQI) of 358. New Delhi, heavily affected by smog, recorded an AQI of 248 on Wednesday, with monitoring stations overwhelmed by pollutant concentrations exceeding their upper limits. The smog situation was exacerbated by Diwali fireworks, which local authorities claimed contributed to the elevated particulate matter (PM) levels in Punjab.

The Punjab Environment Protection Agency (EPA) found that about 50% of Punjab was affected by air originating from India during the Diwali period. The agency's modelling indicated that pollutants released across the border could reach cities such as Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan within hours of being emitted. Lahore's PM2.5 concentrations surged by 275% near the Wagah Border monitoring station, while the western Safari Park recorded only a 15% increase. This geographical variation in pollution levels was consistent with easterly wind patterns.

The smog crisis led to motorway closures in Punjab, with the Shamkot to Abdul Hakeem section of the motorway closed and heavy traffic on the Sher Shah-Multan route towards Khanewal suspended. The government claimed that it had established a comprehensive smog mitigation and monitoring system, with 24/7 surveillance, scientific forecasting, and swift action against pollution sources. This system had resulted in visible improvements in air quality, with Lahore's AQI dropping from over 2,000 in 2024 to below 450 in 2026.