Air Quality Index update for Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad today

Smog continues to affect residents in major cities across Pakistan, with Lahore topping the list of the world’s most polluted cities. On Saturday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Lahore reached a dangerous 766, causing widespread health issues such as chest, throat, and eye diseases. The severe pollution, coupled with dense fog, also led to extremely poor visibility, prompting the closure of several motorway sections to ensure public safety.

The closed motorways included M-2 (Lahore to Kot Momin), M-3 (Lahore to Darkhana), and M-11 (Lahore to Sialkot). Motorway Police spokesman Syed Imran Ahmad urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, especially during the early morning hours when visibility was poorest. He recommended traveling between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM, when conditions were relatively safer and advised using fog lights while driving at slow speeds. In case of emergencies, he also provided the helpline number 130 for further assistance.

Air Quality Situation in Different Cities: 

While Lahore faced the worst conditions, the smog and fog also affected other areas in Punjab, including Narowal, where people preferred staying indoors due to the murky environment and reduced traffic on the roads.

In contrast, air quality in Islamabad and Rawalpindi showed signs of improvement. Moderate to heavy rainfall in the upper regions of the country, including the twin cities, cleared the smog, providing much-needed relief to residents. The rain also brought a noticeable drop in temperatures, adding a refreshing chill to the air.

Rainfall was also reported in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including Upper Dir, and in central Punjab cities such as Jhang. On Friday, the Punjab government announced that artificial rain had been successfully generated in upper Punjab districts like Jhelum, Chakwal, Talagang, and Gujar Khan using a cloud-seeding technique. This move, aimed at reducing smog, was applauded by experts, and the provincial government confirmed its success.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) for key cities as of today is as follows: