Marked improvement in Lahore’s AQI as city ranked 7th most polluted in world

Marked reduction in smog was noticed in Lahore and its surrounding areas on Wednesday as with air quality index (AQI) recorded at 163, the city was ranked as the seventh most polluted city in the world, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

AQI at CERP, Gulberg stood at 184, while it was 178 at Syed Maratab Ali Road, 174 at Allama Iqbal Town, 166 at Civil Secretariat, Lower Mall, 165 at FF Pakistan, 165 at Honda Gateway, 165 at Shadman Colony, 164 at Askari-10, 163 at City School, Ravi Campus.

The Met Office said that the maximum temperature in the provincial capital would be recorded at 27 degrees Celsius, while it would remain 18 degrees Celsius on the minimum side.

The moisture level in the air in the morning was recorded at 80 per cent, while breeze was blowing at a speed of eight kilometers per hour.

Traffic wardens disappear

Quite surprisingly, traffic wardens positioned at different roads of the city disappeared on Tuesday night, leaving the city at the mercy of smoke-emitting vehicles.

Marked reduction in smog noticed this year

Compared with last year, marked reduction in smog has been witnessed in Lahore this year as on November 4, 2024, the AQI in the city of gardens was recorded at 455, which came down to 292 on November 4, 2025, thus showing 36 per cent improvement.

Today, on Wednesday, the AQI in the morning stood at 117, way below what it was on the same date last year.

There are chances of increase in humidity and development of haze in the city.

Wind blows in the city from the north, north-west in the morning, while from Indian cities in the evening, which bring with it pollutants to the city.

These days, farmers in Indian Punjab are burning residue of crops, which leads to smog which then reaches Lahore and other cities of the Punjab along with the wind.

Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that technology, research and taking responsibility for keeping the environment clean is key to good air quality.

She has claimed that reduction in smoke emitted from vehicles has led to an improvement in air quality in cities of the province.

Doctors urge precautionary measures

On the other hand, doctors have advised people to wear facemasks before stepping out of their homes.

It especially urged children, aged people, and asthma patients not to step out of their homes unnecessarily.

Reporter: Faran Yamin