# Lahore Ranks World's Most Polluted City

> Lahore tops global air pollution rankings with AQI 419 as Punjab intensifies crackdown on smog sources.
- Title: Lahore Ranks World's Most Polluted City · Dawn | Shortify
- Summary: Lahore tops global air pollution rankings with AQI 419 as Punjab intensifies crackdown on smog sources.
- Keywords: lahore, air quality index, punjab, smog, aqi, pollution, punjab government, environmental enforcement, brick kilns, plastic burning, Dawn
- Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2040684/lahore-ranks-worlds-most-polluted-city-as-punjab-battles-poor-air-quality
- Author: Imran Gabol
- Published: 2026-10-29T08:27:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: lahore, air quality index, punjab, smog, aqi, pollution, punjab government, environmental enforcement, brick kilns, plastic burning, news, politics
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Lahore ranked world's most polluted major city with AQI 419 as Punjab government targets pollution sources through enforcement and AI monitoring.