Lahore Second Most Polluted City Globally; Karachi Also in Top Five

Lahore has been ranked as the second most polluted city in the world, while Karachi secured fourth place among the globe’s most polluted large cities on Wednesday.

In Pakistan, Multan recorded the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) reading at 324, followed by Lahore at 305. Other cities on the list include Peshawar in third place, Karachi in fourth, Rawalpindi fifth, and Islamabad sixth.

Punjab has been grappling with severe air pollution and smog, exacerbated by the onset of winter. The province is struggling with a mix of low-grade diesel emissions, smoke from agricultural crop burning, and the effects of cooler weather, causing pollution levels to reach hazardous levels.

Lahore’s air pollution has frequently soared to over 80 times the acceptable limits set by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to a report by AFP. The city has been shrouded in a thick layer of smog for days, impacting public health and daily activities.

In response to the crisis, the government has closed schools and restricted the operating hours of markets, eateries, and businesses to mitigate the adverse effects of pollution and protect public health.