Despite the Punjab government’s recent push to combat smog through anti-smog guns and awareness campaigns, Lahore once again ranked as the most polluted city in the world on Friday morning. According to IQAir, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a staggering 443, placing it in the “hazardous” category and far beyond the World Health Organization’s (WHO) safe limits.

The alarming figure means residents of the provincial capital woke up choking on toxic air that poses severe health risks, particularly to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. For comparison, Delhi followed with an AQI of 178, while Kuwait City and Karachi recorded 168 and 163, respectively. Other global cities battling poor air quality included Doha (153), Beijing (152), and Dubai (135).

Environmental experts say the situation in Lahore has worsened due to a combination of vehicular emissions, unchecked industrial activity, and widespread crop residue burning in Punjab’s agricultural belt. Seasonal weather patterns and stagnant air have also contributed by trapping pollutants near the ground, leading to thick layers of smog that blanket the city.

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Public health specialists have urged authorities to impose stricter controls on emissions, regulate industrial operations, and provide sustainable alternatives to crop burning. They also emphasize the need for a long-term environmental management strategy rather than short-term fixes.

While the provincial government continues to tout anti-smog guns as part of its mitigation plan, environmentalists argue that such measures offer little relief without addressing the root causes of pollution. With air quality worsening each year, Lahore’s residents are demanding decisive action to reclaim their right to breathe clean air.