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Lahore Chokes Under Hazardous Smog, Declared World's Most Polluted City
24 Oct
Summary
- Lahore declared world's most polluted city on October 25, 2025
- Air Quality Index reached "hazardous" level of 362
- Government implementing comprehensive strategy to combat smog crisis
As of October 25, 2025, the city of Lahore has been declared the world's most polluted, with a hazardous blanket of smog enveloping the metropolis. The crisis was quantified by alarming data, with the city's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a "hazardous" level of 362.
In specific neighborhoods, the situation was even worse, with the Shalimar area recording a staggering AQI of 690, followed by Shadman at 611 and Syed Maratib Ali Road at 609. Other areas, including Iqbal Town, Lower Mall, and the Civil Secretariat, also registered levels falling in the "emergency range", posing serious health risks to the residents.
In response to the escalating crisis, the Punjab government is following a comprehensive strategy to combat the environmental emergency. For the first time in the province's history, a ban has been imposed on the use of plastic bags, and brick kilns across the region are being shifted to cleaner zig-zag technology. Additionally, a dedicated "Smog War Room" has been established, and a public helpline set up for residents to report environmental violations.
The government has also launched a public awareness campaign, stressing the collective responsibility of the people to eliminate the causes of smog and keep the atmosphere clean. Health experts have appealed to Lahore residents to take necessary precautions, such as wearing masks and limiting outdoor exposure, as the city continues to grapple with the suffocating haze.
