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Lahore has been named the world's most polluted city once more, with an air quality index of 167 on Friday morning, according to IQAir. The pollution is primarily due to industrial emissions, vehicular traffic, and agricultural burning. Lahore’s PM2.5 levels are currently 15.2 times higher than WHO guidelines, posing significant health risks. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz acknowledged the issue and noted progress in reducing smog over recent years but emphasized ongoing efforts to improve air quality.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-02,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Lahore has been ranked as the most polluted city globally for a third consecutive year by air quality monitoring platform IQAir. The city's AQI reached 167, classifying its air as "unhealthy." This ranking is particularly concerning given Lahore and parts of Punjab have experienced severe smog since 2015, often necessitating what has been termed a “smog shutdown” in September and October. Despite this, the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz claims there is now less smog compared to previous years, though she acknowledges it's not completely eliminated.
Industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, stubble burning, and air movement contribute significantly to Lahore’s poor air quality. On Friday, Lahore topped the list of most polluted cities ahead of Dhaka (AQI 164) and Cairo (AQI 158), while Karachi was ranked at 34th place with an AQI of 69.
The World Health Organization has set a PM2.5 annual guideline limit that is currently exceeded by 15.2 times in Lahore, highlighting the severe environmental crisis facing Pakistan.
Written for “Lahore Air Pollution” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Lahore has once again emerged as the most polluted city in the world, with its air quality classified as “unhealthy”, according to air quality monitoring platform IQAir, as Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the government was making efforts to address environmental issues.
uncertain
government → emerge → issues
In the past few years, air pollution has become one of the most pressing public health and environmental crises facing Pakistan.
asserted
pollution → become → Pakistan
Various cities of the country, most notably Lahore, deal with smog, especially in the winter months.
asserted
cities → deal → months
The phenomenon is attributed mainly to industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, stubble burning and air movement.
asserted
phenomenon → attribute → emissions
Lahore topped the list of the most polluted cities on Friday morning, with an air quality index (AQI) of 167, according to the IQAir live tracker, falling under the ‘unhealthy’ category, closely followed by Bangladesh’s Dhaka at 164 and Egypt’s Cairo at 158.
uncertain
Lahore → top → 158
The provincial capital was the only Pakistani city ranking in the top 30 most polluted cities on Friday.
asserted
capital → rank → Friday
According to IQAir, in Lahore, “PM2.5 concentration is currently 15.2 times the World Health Organisation annual PM2.5 guideline value”.
uncertain
concentration → accord → Lahore
PM2.5 refers to fine inhalable particles, with diameters generally 2.5 micrometres and smaller.
asserted
PM2.5 → refer → diameters
Of all air pollution measures, PM2.5 pollution poses the greatest health threat, according to IQAir.
uncertain
pollution → pose → IQAir
According to the website, PM2.5 can enter the circulatory system and even the brain, causing serious health complications if long-term exposure occurs.
uncertain
exposure → accord → complications
For those in Lahore, IQAir recommended avoiding outdoor exercise, closing windows to avoid outdoor air, wearing a mask outdoors and installing an air purifier indoors.
asserted
IQAir → recommend → purifier
Meanwhile, in a televised address to senior officers in Lahore on Friday, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government was making efforts to address environmental issues.
asserted
government → televise → issues
For the past eight years, she said, Lahore as well as some parts of Punjab would undergo a “smog shutdown” in September and October
“For three years now — I won’t say there is zero smog, but — there is less smog,” she said.
asserted
she → say → years
In January this year, Lahore was ranked as the most polluted city globally by IQAir with an AQI of 452.
asserted
Lahore → rank → 452
Earlier this week, a new analysis released by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) ranked Lahore among cities whose ozone levels were “extremely poor”.
asserted
levels → release → cities
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