Lahore and Karachi rank among the top 10 worst places to breathe on Earth today, according to live air quality readings.
Lahore registered an Air Quality Index of 292, placing it in the very unhealthy category, while Karachi recorded an AQI of 156, classified as unhealthy.
The full top 10 list reads as follows.
These figures show a regional surge in dangerous air pollution. Several factors commonly drive these spikes. Heavy traffic and vehicle emissions increase fine particle levels. Industrial output and construction dust add to the burden. In addition, seasonal practices such as crop burning and stagnant weather can trap pollutants near the ground and push AQI higher.