New Delhi, Lahore and Karachi are among the top five most polluted cities in the world on Tuesday, data from air quality monitoring platform IQAir shows. 

 

New Delhi topped the list with an air quality index (AQI) of 414, categorised as “hazardous.” Lahore followed in second place with an AQI of 234, classified as “very unhealthy.” Karachi ranked fourth with an AQI of 182, categorised as “unhealthy,” just behind Kuwait City at 183.

 

IQAir reported that both Pakistani cities recorded their highest AQI levels for this month. In Lahore, the concentration of PM2.5, fine cancer-causing particles that can enter the bloodstream, reached 158.8 micrograms per cubic metre, 31.8 times higher than the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline. Karachi’s PM2.5 level was 100 micrograms per cubic metre, 20 times above WHO’s annual limit.

 

The platform advised residents to avoid outdoor exercise, use air purifiers, wear masks, and keep windows closed to reduce exposure to polluted air.

 

Air pollution has become a major health and environmental crisis in Pakistan, with cities like Lahore suffering from severe smog each winter. The main causes include industrial emissions, vehicle smoke, stubble burning, and stagnant air movement.

 

Officials warned that smog is likely to intensify this week due to local emissions and pollutants carried by low-speed winds from India following Diwali celebrations.

 

To reduce pollution, the Punjab government has started water sprinkling operations and activated anti-smog guns in key areas of Lahore, including Karim Block, Multan Road, Shahdara Flyover, GT Road, and Thokar Niaz Baig.

 

Lahore police also arrested 83 people and registered 77 cases in its ongoing anti-smog drive.

 

According to WHO's Pakistan Representative, Dr Dapeng Luo, air pollution causes around 256,000 deaths in Pakistan every year.