Lahore continues to grapple with extreme air pollution, topping the list as the most polluted city in Pakistan.
According to real-time data from IQAir, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has surged to a staggering 1,039, a level that poses serious health risks for residents, especially those with pre-existing conditions like asthma or other respiratory ailments.
Following Lahore, Multan ranks as the second most polluted city in the country with an AQI of 425, while Peshawar, Islamabad, and Haripur complete the top five, recording AQI levels of 257, 205, and 197, respectively.
Following are the most polluted cities in Pakistan today:
| Rank | City | Province | US AQI+ |
| 1 | Lahore | Punjab | 1039 |
| 2 | Multan | Punjab | 425 |
| 3 | Peshawar | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 257 |
| 4 | Islamabad | Islamabad Capital Territory | 205 |
| 5 | Haripur | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 197 |
| 6 | Rawalpindi | Punjab | 184 |
| 7 | Abbottabad | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | 171 |
| 8 | Karachi | Sindh | 110 |
The provincial government has implemented various measures, including imposing fines on vehicles emitting excessive smoke and limiting industrial emissions. However, the air quality crisis remains a pressing issue, underscoring the urgent need for long-term solutions to improve environmental and public health standards in the region.
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