Smog persisted across much of Punjab on Monday, driving air pollution to dangerous levels in several cities and placing Lahore among the world’s most polluted urban centres, according to official figures and real-time air quality data.
The provincial Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 198 across the province, a level deemed unhealthy, particularly for children, the elderly and those with respiratory conditions.
Lahore was identified as the worst-affected district, with average AQI readings reaching 375 between 8:00am and 3:00pm — a classification considered very unhealthy. Monitoring stations across the city reported alarming pollution levels, highlighting the severity of the smog.
Some locations registered extreme AQI readings, including 565 at the University of Engineering and Technology (UET), 427 at the EPA office and 420 near Town Hall. Other areas such as the Lahore Waste Management Company zone, Safari Park, Punjab University and nearby hospitals also experienced hazardous air conditions, reflecting the widespread impact of the pollution episode across the city.
The deteriorating air quality placed Lahore second on the global list of most polluted major cities, with an AQI of 366, according to international live air quality rankings. Delhi topped the list with an AQI of 555, while Dhaka, Kolkata and Bishkek followed Lahore, highlighting a broader regional pollution pattern across South and Central Asia.
Other cities in Punjab also recorded unhealthy air. Rahim Yar Khan, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur, Narowal and Gujranwala posted AQI readings well above 200, while Gujrat and Khanewal remained unhealthy for sensitive groups Even cities at the lower end of the provincial ranking, including Rawalpindi, Sargodha and Multan, failed to return to safe air quality levels. Environmental experts attribute the persistent smog to a combination of vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, crop residue burning and unfavourable weather conditions.
Dense fog, reported across large parts of Punjab and upper Sindh, trapped pollutants near ground level, worsening breathing conditions.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said a westerly weather system was affecting northern parts of the country. Intermittent rain and snowfall were forecast for Gilgit-Baltistan, upper Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir, while cold and dry conditions were expected to prevail across most plains, offering little immediate relief from smog.
Meteorologists warned that moderate to dense fog would likely continue over Punjab’s plains over the next two days, potentially prolonging hazardous air quality.
Source: Express Tribune
