Lahore Tops Global Air Pollution Rankings Yet Again as Smog Crisis Deepens
October 29, 2025
LAHORE: For another consecutive day, Lahore has recorded the world’s worst air quality, with hazardous smog levels blanketing the city and triggering serious health warnings for residents.
According to air quality monitoring platform IQAir, Lahore topped the global pollution index on Tuesday morning with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 422, a level considered extremely hazardous. Smog has severely reduced visibility, disrupted daily life, and raised concerns over public health.
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Other major Punjab cities are also suffering. Faisalabad’s AQI hit 622, Multan 485, and Bahawalpur 255, placing them among the most polluted cities in the region. Globally, New Delhi, Dhaka, Kolkata, and Karachi followed Lahore in the top five most polluted cities.
By late night, Lahore remained the world’s most polluted city with an AQI of 258, followed by New Delhi (230) and Beijing (194).
Authorities Launch Anti-Smog Measures Across Lahore
The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has initiated a city-wide anti-smog operation, deploying 16 mechanical washers, 50 regular washers, and 400 workers to clean and sprinkle water on major roads. More than 300 kilometers of roads, including Jail Road, Main Boulevard Gulberg, and GT Road, are being targeted for dust control.
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Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb urged citizens to wear masks at all times, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions. Health experts have advised limiting outdoor activities to reduce exposure to polluted air.
Police Crackdown on Smog-Causing Activities
The Punjab Police have intensified enforcement operations to curb pollution sources. Over the past 24 hours, authorities registered 14 cases, fined 115 violators a total of Rs10 million, and issued 53 warnings. The violations included crop residue burning, smoke-emitting vehicles, industrial pollution, and brick kiln operations.
Since January 2025, police have registered 1,642 cases and arrested 1,571 people, while fines totaling Rs150 million have been imposed on over 60,000 violators across Punjab.
Punjab IGP Dr Usman Anwar has directed law enforcement agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against smog violators and ensure immediate action in industrial, agricultural, and urban areas.
Civic Agencies Step In to Reduce Pollution
Multiple city departments, including PHA, LWMC, Wasa, LDA, and Ruda, have joined hands to combat the worsening smog.
The Parks & Horticulture Authority (PHA) has launched a public awareness campaign alongside tree-washing and plantation drives. “Under the Lungs of Lahore project, millions of trees have been planted along the Ring Road to improve air quality,” said PHA DG Raja Mansoor Ahmad.
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The Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda) has also intensified its anti-smog operations and imposed heavy fines on vehicle owners transporting uncovered construction materials. A Ruda spokesperson stated that all preventive and corrective measures were being taken to tackle sources contributing to Lahore’s smog.
Meanwhile, Wasa and the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) have begun sprinkling water on dusty development sites to curb pollution caused by ongoing construction projects in areas like Khayaban-e-Firdausi.
The LWMC continues to deploy cleaning teams across Lahore, including Bhogiwal Road, Gujjarpura, China Scheme, Shahdara, and Circular Road. Water sprinkling is also underway at Greater Iqbal Park, Badami Bagh Bus Stand, and Railway Station areas, as well as key arteries like Mall Road, Jail Road, Gulberg, and Canal Road.
LWMC CEO Babar Sahib Din directed continuous operations at the city’s entry and exit points to minimize dust and improve air quality.
Rising Health Concerns
With air quality remaining dangerously poor, environmental and health experts warn that Lahore’s smog crisis is likely to worsen in the coming weeks due to low wind speeds and cold temperatures trapping pollutants near the ground.
