Multan has Pakistan's worst air quality as Punjab smog builds

Air Quality Index readings in Multan, Raiwind, Rahim Yar Khan, Faisalabad and Lahore were all above 270 on Saturday, with Multan the highest at 492.

Multan recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 492 on Saturday, the highest of any Pakistani city cited.

Raiwind recorded 316, Rahim Yar Khan 304, Faisalabad 287 and Lahore 273.

New Delhi topped the world's most polluted cities with a reading of 539 on the same day.

Lahore's air pollution once reached more than 80 times the level WHO deems hygienic.

In earlier years the government closed schools and restricted hours for eateries and markets.

Read the full story