From Dawn · Imran Gabol · · 2m
Lahore Ranks World's Most Polluted City
Lahore tops global air pollution rankings with AQI 419 as Punjab intensifies crackdown on smog sources.
In brief
Lahore tops global air pollution rankings with AQI 419 as Punjab intensifies crackdown on smog sources. Lahore ranked world's most polluted major city with AQI 419 as Punjab government targets pollution sources through enforcement and AI monitoring. Originally reported by Dawn.
Lahore ranks world's most polluted major city
Lahore ranked world's most polluted major city with an Air Quality Index of 419 on Thursday.
Global pollution rankings
Cairo ranked second with AQI 274, Delhi third with 220, and Karachi eighth with 165.
Punjab pollution levels
Kasur topped Punjab's list with AQI 348, followed by Lahore at 324, Faisalabad at 290.
Punjab pollution rankings update
As of 1:00pm, Lahore ranked fifth with AQI 183 while Punjab's dashboard showed Khanewal at 212.
Punjab government action
Punjab government intensified enforcement against smoke-emitting vehicles, brick kilns, industrial units and plastic burning.
AI-powered monitoring
Punjab Safe Cities Authority uses artificial intelligence-powered cameras to identify smog-related violations.
EPA enforcement campaign
EPA demolished 197 non-compliant brick kilns, sealed 163 units and registered 162 first information reports during the month-long operation.
Brick kiln inspections
EPA conducted 11,580 inspections of brick kilns, issued 314 smog notices and imposed fines totalling Rs40.7 million.
Industrial site inspections
EPA inspected 6,650 industrial sites, demolished 22 non-compliant units, issued 333 notices and sealed 191 premises.
Plastic burning crackdown
EPA conducted 6,064 inspections, issued 678 notices, sealed 152 premises and confiscated 45,100 kilogrammes of plastic.
Suction hood enforcement
EPA inspected 4,204 industrial sites, with 1,863 units installing suction hoods and 1,388 notices issued.
Construction dust control
EPA visited 397 union councils, issued 181 notices, sealed 20 locations and imposed Rs25,000 in fines.
Agricultural smoke response
Punjab deployed 67 Quick Response Units to detect and respond to crop-residue burning incidents.
Anti-smog gun deployment
Punjab deployed anti-smog guns at selected locations including major roads and industrial areas.
In short
Lahore ranked world's most polluted major city with AQI 419 as Punjab government targets pollution sources through enforcement and AI monitoring.
