Pakistan’s Lahore city remains the most polluted city of world

Current Context: The Air Quality Index (AQI) Global Ranking, released by IQAir (Switzerland-based firm) on October 28, 2025, ranked Lahore, Pakistan as the world’s most polluted city.

• Lahore recorded AQI levels between 349–424, placing it in the hazardous category, with PM2.5 levels over 25 times higher than WHO safe limits.
• Other cities in the top 5 included Delhi (India), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Karachi (Pakistan), and Kolkata (India).
• The index measures PM2.5 concentration, AQI levels, and city-wise rankings in real time.
• Such pollution poses severe health risks, including respiratory and cardiac illnesses, especially for vulnerable groups.
• The Punjab government has activated a Smog Emergency Plan, but emissions from vehicles, industries, and crop burning continue to worsen air quality.

Question:

Q.1 Lahore’s Air Quality Index value of 349–424 falls under which category?
a) Moderate
b) Unhealthy
c) Very Unhealthy
d) Hazardous

Answer: d) Any Air Quality Index (AQI) value above 300 is categorized as Hazardous.