Lahore AQI reaches 590, becomes world's most polluted city

Pakistan's Lahore city was recorded as the world's most polluted city on Monday. Here, the air quality index (AQI) reached an ultra-hazardous level of 590, which was more than three times that of the city in second place.

Between 9 am and 10 am on Monday, Lahore remained the most polluted globally. According to IQAir data, the one-hour reading during this time even touched 647.

The air quality level remains extremely hazardous in other cities of Pakistani Punjab as well. Raiwind, Faisalabad and Multan cities have also been included in the severe pollution category.

According to the assessment by the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, average life expectancy in the country is dropping by about 3.9 years due to air pollution, with nearly 1.28 lakh untimely deaths occurring annually. Prolonged exposure to such toxic air in Lahore can reduce lifespan by up to seven years.

The report reveals that the transport sector is the biggest contributor to PM 2.5 in Lahore. Additionally, 28 percent share comes from industries and 17 percent from brick kilns, while the winter season further worsens this situation.

On the other hand, across the border in India's capital Delhi and surrounding areas, air quality remains poor even after Diwali. The AQI in several areas of Delhi is running above 400, and the third stage of GRAP has been implemented to curb pollution.

Key developments

• Lahore AQI recorded at 590, reading touched 647 at one point
• Lahore becomes the world's most polluted city
• Air extremely hazardous in Faisalabad, Raiwind and Multan of Pakistani Punjab too
• Delhi AQI crosses 400, GRAP-3 restrictions implemented