Lahore air quality turned “very unhealthy” on Tuesday, putting the Punjab capital at the top of the world’s most polluted cities list with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 240, according to the Swiss monitor IQAir.
The city’s PM2.5 concentration, the tiny airborne particles that can reach deep into the lungs, stood at 33 times the World Health Organization’s annual guideline, IQAir said.
Lahore Air Quality: AQI in Major Cities
| City | AQI (Tuesday) |
|---|---|
| Faisalabad | 283 |
| Peshawar | 245 |
| Lahore | 240 |
| Gujranwala | 228 |
| Delhi (India) | 188 |
Why the Air Turned Toxic
Punjab authorities blamed this week’s poor air on pollution drifting in from India, where firecrackers set off during the Hindu festival of Diwali over the weekend covered much of the north in toxic smog. Punjab Environment Protection Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said light winds carried the pollutants into the region.
She said air pollution should ease gradually from early afternoon as conditions improve and winds change direction.
India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Indian government data showed firecrackers caused nearly 55 percent of the PM2.5 in Delhi a day earlier.
Vehicle emissions, construction dust and smoke from crop-waste burning are also major contributors to winter pollution on both sides of the border. In 2024 Pakistan blamed crop-waste burning in Indian Punjab for its toxic air, while Indian weather officials said the airflow ran the other way.
How Lahore Air Quality Affects You
- Health: Children, older people and anyone with asthma or heart problems should limit time outdoors when AQI is above 200.
- Masks: A well-fitted N95 mask helps on the road; ordinary cloth masks filter very little PM2.5.
- Home: Keep windows closed during the worst hours and avoid burning anything indoors.
- Exercise: Move walks and sports indoors until the readings improve.
What Happens Next
Officials expect some relief later in the day as winds shift. The rain forecast for November 12 and 13 in Punjab may also help clear the air. Live readings are published on the IQAir website.
Read More: Rain and Snowfall Expected Across Pakistan From Nov 10 to 14: Full City List
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