Lahore (TDI): Lahore continues to grapple with alarmingly high air pollution levels, ranking as the most polluted city globally with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a staggering 708 on Monday.
The city’s air quality varied throughout the day, with the lowest recorded AQI of 246 between 4 PM and 5 PM, still classified as very unhealthy.
It peaked at 708 at 11 PM, with PM2.5 concentrations hitting 431 µg/m³—an alarming 86.2 times above the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual air quality guideline value.
Lahore again topped the global list of polluted cities, followed by New Delhi, which recorded an AQI of 232 at 11 PM, with a maximum of 271 earlier in the day.
Specific areas in Lahore showed even more dire readings, with the AQI at the CERP office in Gulberg reaching a shocking 953, followed by 810 at Pakistan Engineering Services Ltd and 784 at Syed Maratab Ali Road.
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Experts and academics have challenged government data regarding the primary contributors to the persistent smog, pointing out that it is possible to observe smog in Lahore as early as June while traveling on the M2 motorway, raising questions about the causes of summer smog.
They advocate for the government to improve data accuracy and educate the public on the health impacts of smog.
Root Causes of Smog
Raja Jahangir Anwar, secretary of the Environment Protection and Culture Change Department (EPCCD), identified several factors contributing to the smog, including vehicular emissions, stubble burning, factory discharges, and brick kiln operations.
He noted that the AQI data is currently derived from private and low-cost sensors, which he argued may not be reliable, Dawn reported.
In addressing the root causes of smog, Anwar mentioned the lack of scientific research in Pakistan, citing three non-scientific studies conducted by the Ministry of Climate Change, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Urban Unit.
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These studies reported varying attributions of smog sources—one suggesting 40%, another 60%, and a third 80% from vehicles.
With approximately 4.5 million motorcycles, 1.3 million cars and trucks, 6,800 factories, and 1,200 brick kilns operating in and around Lahore, in addition to stubble burning in nearby districts such as Kasur, Sheikhupura, Nankana, and Gujranwala, the challenge is significant.
