LAHORE: Lahore’s air quality index (AQI) crossed critical limits on Friday evening, according to the data shared by the air quality monitoring platform IQAir.

The citywide AQI placed Lahore among the cities facing serious air pollution levels during the day. The overall index of the city peaked at 5pm with the reading of 504. The IQAir dashboard showed PM10 as the main pollutant in Lahore, with a recorded concentration of 448.6 micrograms per cubic metre.

Different areas of the city reported AQI readings beyond 400. The CERP Office topped the list with an AQI reading of 682 at 10pm, followed by Iqbal Town at 605 and Barki Road at 558. Other locations including Defence, Bedian Road and Barki Road also recorded AQI readings above 400. Askari 10, Bedian Road, the Civil Secretariat area and Abdullah Khokhar locality ranged between 250 and 309.

Delhi held the top position with an AQI reading of 343, while Lahore followed with 327.

Health experts say PM10 exposure is linked with respiratory strain and eye irritation, particularly among the children, senior citizens and individuals with existing health conditions.

Earlier, environment department officials termed transport emissions, industrial activity, crop residue burning and weather patterns as contributing factors behind rising particulate matter levels in Lahore.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2025