Archive · 22 Jan 2026
Lahore Tops Global Pollution Charts
Lahore, a city in Pakistan, has been named the most polluted city in the world.
This is because the air quality there is very bad, with a score of 452 on a scale that measures pollution.
Other cities in Pakistan, like Karachi, Muzaffargarh, and Rahim Yar Khan, also have bad air quality.
The pollution is caused by things like factories, cars, and burning leftover crops.
People are being told to stay inside, close their windows, wear masks, and use special machines to clean the air inside their homes.
This is a big problem because the pollution can make people sick.
Lahore ranked as the most polluted city globally with an AQI of 452.
Karachi ranked 9th with an AQI of 179.
Air pollution in Pakistan is caused by industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, stubble burning, and air movement.
Residents advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks, and use air purifiers.
Several districts in Punjab recorded very unhealthy AQI levels, with Muzaffargarh at 291, Rahim Yar Khan at 279, and Lahore at 274.
- Who
- Residents of Lahore and other affected cities in Pakistan
- What
- Lahore ranked as the most polluted city globally with an AQI of 452
- When
- Wednesday (unspecified date in January)
- Where
- Lahore, Pakistan, and other cities in Punjab
- Why
- Due to high levels of air pollution caused by industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, stubble burning, and air movement
- City
- Lahore, Pakistan
- AQI
- 452
- Rank
- 1st most polluted city
- Date
- Wednesday (unspecified date in January)
- Source
- IQAir
- Other affected cities
- Karachi (9th, AQI 179), Muzaffargarh (AQI 291), Rahim Yar Khan (AQI 279), Gujrat (AQI 214), Khanewal (AQI 204)
- Primary causes
- Industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, stubble burning, air movement
- Advice given
- Limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks, use air purifiers
