Lahore AQI today has climbed to a hazardous 448, placing the provincial capital at the top of global pollution rankings amid thick smog, according to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) sources on Sunday.
The Air Quality Index, or AQI — a simple score of how dirty the outdoor air is — was described as dangerous for the city as a whole. PMD sources said the reading makes Lahore the most polluted city in the world on the day the figures were shared.
Neighbourhood readings across the city
Statistical data pointed to severe pollution in several localities. Iqbal Town recorded the highest reading at an AQI of 617. Paragon City followed at 513, then Model Town at 453, Chaman Park at 430, Barki Road at 427 and DHA Phase 5 at 324.
Those neighbourhood scores sit well above the citywide Lahore AQI today figure of 448, underlining how uneven and intense the smog can feel from one area to another. Residents in the worst-hit pockets face the heaviest exposure when they step outside.
Health advice from experts and authorities
Health and environmental experts have told citizens to take basic precautions: wear a face mask when going outdoors, skip unnecessary travel, and be especially careful in the early morning and late evening. People have also been urged to cut outdoor activity and avoid long spells in polluted air.
Experts warned that severe smog can cause eye irritation, nasal and throat discomfort, breathing trouble and serious respiratory illness. Children, older adults and anyone already living with lung or breathing problems were told to take extra care.
As air quality worsened, authorities asked the public to remain indoors unless a trip is necessary and to follow official safety guidelines. The guidance is aimed at reducing how much polluted air people breathe while the haze persists.
What residents are being asked to do now
For now, the practical message from experts and officials is the same: treat outdoor air as a health risk, keep outings short when they cannot be avoided, and protect vulnerable family members first. Masks, limited travel at peak smog hours and staying inside when possible are the steps being repeated in the advice shared with citizens.
Lahore AQI today at 448, with several localities far higher, means the haze is not a distant ranking story — it is a street-level condition shaping school runs, work commutes and evening walks until readings ease.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Lahore ka AQI aaj 448 hai, jo bohot khatarnaak level hai. PMD ke mutabiq shehar duniya mein sab se zyada polluted bataya gaya hai. Iqbal Town jaise ilaqon mein hawa aur bhi ganda hai. Mask pehnen, subah-shaam be-zarurat bahar na niklen, aur bachon aur buzurgon ka khas khayal rakhen.
