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Lahore Chokes: World's Most Polluted City
9 Nov
Summary
- Lahore ranked world's most polluted city with AQI reaching 590.
- Pollution levels are over three times higher than the second-ranked city.
- Diwali fireworks, crop burning, and winds exacerbate Lahore's air quality.
On November 9, 2026, Lahore was identified as the world's most polluted major city, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 590, according to IQAir. A separate reading indicated an hourly index as high as 647, placing the city in the hazardous category and more than three times the pollution level of the second-ranked city. This alarming air quality is exacerbated by smoke from Diwali fireworks in neighboring Indian Punjab, extensive crop-residue burning, and easterly winds carrying pollutants.
Several areas within Lahore, including Allama Iqbal Town and Burki Road Paragon, reported hazardous air quality. Neighboring cities in Punjab, Pakistan, such as Raiwind and Multan, also experienced dangerously high AQI levels. The provincial government had warned on November 8, 2026, that smoke from Diwali fireworks and agricultural burning would likely increase pollution. Satellite data shows significant crop-associated fire detections on both sides of the border, with Pakistani Punjab recording a notably higher number of incidents between October 1 and 29, 2026.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab is actively combating agricultural fires through surveillance and firefighting operations, deploying specialized units and drones. Legal action is also being taken against those involved in illegal crop-residue burning. Pollution levels were forecast to remain high on November 9 and 10, 2026, with a slight improvement expected thereafter. Comparative findings on pollution sources are anticipated on November 10, 2026.
