LAHORE: Lahore was again ranked the most-polluted city in the world on Friday, recording an alarming citywide Air Quality Index (AQI) of 475, with a severe smog crisis engulfing most of Punjab, posing serious health risks to millions.

The hazardous air poses serious health risks to residents, who continue to breathe toxic air. The situation is even direr in different areas of Lahore, with AQI on Syed Maratab Ali Road reaching 804, followed by Gulberg’s 678 and DHA’s 569.

Other major cities of Punjab were also severely affected, with Faisalabad’s AQI surging to 626, Sialkot’s 601, and Gujranwala’s to 515 during the morning hours.

Health experts urged the people to wear masks, curtail outdoor activities and use air-purifiers at home to avoid adverse effects of smog, warning that children and the elderly are particularly at high risk.

The environmental experts attribute the persistent smog to crop residues burning, industrial emissions and heavy traffic congestion.

Meanwhile, the provincial authorities held a high-level meeting to review the ‘Smog Mitigation Action Plans 2025–26’ and re-launch an upgraded Smog Mitigation Projects Tracking Dashboard (SMPT 2.0). Planning & Development (P&D) Board Secretary Rafaqat Ali chaired the meeting aimed to enhance real-time monitoring and inter-departmental coordination.

Key updates from various departments included initiatives taken by transport sector, such as the launch of the Punjab Digital Transport Governance System and the distribution of thousands of e-bikes to control vehicle pollution.

The agriculture department claimed there is a 25 percent reduction in stubble burning this year, with over 4,700 “super seeders” delivered to farmers.

The environment department says that AQI display screens in Lahore are proving helpful in creating public awareness, while health department has established smog centres in hospitals, besides running district-level campaigns on the issue.

The secretary stressed the need for effective public awareness campaigns through media platforms and directed the departments to promptly upload their anti-smog activities on the new dashboard for transparent smog monitoring.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2025