As-salāmu ʿalaykum - Lahore again highest in world pollution as smog keeps returning
As-salāmu ʿalaykum. Pakistan’s Lahore has once again come out on top of the world pollution rankings as thick smog continues to linger in eastern Punjab.
Every winter, Lahore and other parts of the Punjab plain suffer from heavy smog when cold air traps dust from construction, vehicle fumes and smoke. The seasonal crisis - worsened by crop burning, traffic emissions and industrial pollution - is seriously affecting people’s health and daily routines.
On Monday morning, monitoring groups showed Lahore leading the list of most polluted cities, with an Air Quality Index in the “hazardous” range. Delhi and Karachi were also among the worst-affected cities, but Lahore’s PM2.5 readings were especially high. PM2.5 are tiny particles that can enter the bloodstream when inhaled and have dangerous health effects.
Experts warned the PM2.5 concentration in Lahore was many times above the World Health Organization’s recommended annual limit. The smog season usually starts in late October, peaks from November to January and can continue into February.
Earlier in October, Punjab authorities tried using anti-smog measures like water-misting trucks to settle dust and reduce pollution for a while. Those actions helped somewhat, but the problem persists.
Smog causes sore throats, eye irritation and breathing problems, and long-term exposure raises the risk of stroke, heart disease and lung cancer. In past years the smog has forced temporary closures of schools and businesses and disrupted daily life for many families.
Please protect yourselves and your families: limit outdoor activities when the air is bad, use masks if available, keep windows closed when safe to do so, and make duʿā’ for relief and guidance for our communities and environment.
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