With Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to a hazardous 708, the city has topped the world’s most polluted cities list once again, according to Dawn. The PM2.5 concentration—a measure of fine particulate matter—hit 431 µg/m³, which is 86 times the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safe limit. This intense level of pollution severely threatens the health of Lahore’s population, with even the lowest AQI reading recorded at 246, classified as “very unhealthy.”
Experts argue that Lahore’s smog can no longer be dismissed as a seasonal problem. “The smog in Lahore is a result of ‘systemic environmental mismanagement,’” one expert stated. Unchecked vehicular emissions, outdated industrial practices, and insufficient regulatory oversight all contribute to the worsening crisis. Although crop stubble burning in surrounding areas is often highlighted, these deeper issues have left the city’s air quality at critically dangerous levels year-round.
Private monitors reported even higher AQI levels in some of Lahore’s busiest areas: 953 in Gulberg, 810 near Pakistan Engineering Services, and 784 on Syed Maratab Ali Road. However, the Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EPCCD) has pushed back on these readings, claiming that private monitors use high-cost sensors that allegedly distort data. According to the EPCCD, “private data could not be considered reliable” due to this discrepancy, though critics argue this stance obscures the true extent of the crisis.
Lahore’s pollution crisis is compounded by high traffic levels, especially at night when heavy-duty trucks circulate through the city. The Punjab government’s response has included planning eight new monitors for November and implementing a “Smog Mitigation Plan.” This plan includes incentives for sustainable farming practices to reduce stubble burning, deployment of low-emission mass transit, and stricter regulations on factories and kilns. Yet despite these efforts, millions remain exposed to high pollution levels, with critics highlighting delays and inconsistent enforcement as major concerns.
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Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb issued an emergency alert, advising residents to “wear masks and limit outdoor activities” to reduce exposure. Critics argue that such advisories alone fall short. Without enforceable policies, Lahore’s persistent air pollution serves as a stark example of inadequate governance and public health negligence.
