Lahore ranks as most polluted major city globally

Global ranking and local readings

IQAir data placed Lahore at the top of global major city rankings for the period between 9am and 10am on November 9. The platform recorded an hourly index of 590 for the city while a separate historical reading showed 647. This level exceeds the second-ranked city by more than three times according to the live global ranking. Specific stations within Lahore recorded even higher figures with Allama Iqbal Town reaching an AQI of 1,033.

Causes and regional spread

Officials in the Punjab state cautioned that firework smoke generated during Diwali celebrations across Indian Punjab might arrive in the city within a timeframe of five to thirteen hours. Crop residue burning incidents totaled 2,347 in the border region with 1,081 occurring in Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Amritsar districts. Easterly winds carried this pollution across the international border where Amritsar sits approximately 50 kilometres from Lahore. Other parts of Punjab including Raiwind, Multan and Faisalabad also recorded hazardous air quality levels during this time.

Health risks and government action

Outdoor particulate matter alone accounts for an estimated 4.7 million deaths worldwide while air pollution claims 8.1 million lives annually globally. The Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department launched anti-smog gun operations to address the deteriorating conditions. Industrial inspections and stubble-burning enforcement efforts brought substantial improvement in the city's air quality by afternoon.