The air quality crisis in Punjab has intensified, with Lahore once again ranked as the most polluted city in Pakistan on Friday. This morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Lahore soared to an alarming 901, marking an unprecedented level of pollution and causing severe visibility issues throughout the city.
Due to the hazardous smog, multiple major motorways have been closed for public safety. The Lahore-Islamabad Motorway (M2), Lahore-Sialkot Motorway, Motorway (M3) from Lahore to Dera Ghazi Khan, M4 from Pindi Bhattian to Multan, and M5 from Multan to Jalalpur have all been shut down to prevent accidents. Authorities have urged citizens to avoid traveling, particularly during night hours, and to use fog lights when driving.
In addition to Lahore, Multan has been ranked as the second most polluted city in Pakistan, with an AQI of 799. Rawalpindi follows in third place with an AQI of 278, and Islamabad is not far behind with an AQI of 258. Other cities experiencing severe air quality issues include Peshawar (242 AQI), Karachi (203 AQI), Haripur (187 AQI), and Abbottabad (177 AQI).
- Lahore – 901 AQI (Most polluted)
- Multan – 799 AQI
- Rawalpindi – 278 AQI
- Islamabad – 258 AQI
- Peshawar – 242 AQI
- Karachi – 203 AQI
- Haripur – 187 AQI
- Abbottabad – 177 AQI
The ongoing smog crisis has triggered a sharp rise in respiratory illnesses across Punjab and other affected regions. Authorities are responding with a crackdown on businesses and individuals failing to adhere to the smog standard operating procedures (SOPs), which include controlling emissions from factories and limiting the use of heavy vehicles during high-pollution periods.
While Lahore remains the epicenter of the pollution, the air quality in Karachi, though comparatively lower, is still considered unhealthy with an AQI of 203. The city’s residents are also advised to limit outdoor activities and take protective measures.
