By Asim Shahzad
LAHORE: Air pollution in Lahore reached alarming levels yesterday, with the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 410, placing it at the top of a global ranking of the most polluted cities, according to the reported figures.
The deteriorating air quality has raised questions about the Punjab government’s claims of tackling smog and controlling pollution, as hazardous conditions persist across the provincial capital.
Despite the government allocating billions of rupees to the Environment Department for pollution control measures, Lahore continues to experience worsening air quality, with monitoring stations reporting particularly high readings in some areas.
Shahdara recorded an AQI of 408, while Allama Iqbal Town registered a significantly higher reading of 627, highlighting the uneven but severe pollution levels across the city.
The reported pollution level was also described as 51.8 times the World Health Organisation’s air quality guideline. However, this comparison depends on the pollutant measured and the averaging period used, as AQI readings and WHO guideline values are calculated differently.
The latest figures have renewed concerns about the effectiveness of measures taken to combat smog, including the use of public funds for environmental initiatives. The government’s response and the results of its pollution-control programmes are likely to face greater scrutiny as air quality deteriorates.
