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Lahore named world's most polluted city

Lahore's air pollution linked to 3.9-year life expectancy drop and 128,000 annual premature deaths.

New York Editorial News Desk October 29, 2026 1 min read

The Brief

  • Lahore recorded AQI of 419, highest globally on October 29.
  • Cairo ranked second with AQI 274, Karachi placed eighth at 165.
  • Kasur led provincial pollution levels.

Lahore has been designated the world's most polluted city, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 419 recorded on October 29, according to global monitoring metrics from IQAir.

Cairo recorded an AQI of 274, while Karachi placed eighth with an AQI of 165, as reported by Dawn.

The Punjab government's air quality dashboard highlighted severe pollution in multiple urban centers, with Kasur leading the provincial list.

Other cities with high AQI readings included Nankana Sahib at 261, Hafizabad at 250, Sahiwal at 210, Sheikhupura at 205, Jhang at 203, Rajanpur at 201, Multan at 194, Gujranwala at 194, Bhakkar at 186, and Vehari at 181.

Data from the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) indicated that chronic exposure to toxic air imposes a significant economic toll equivalent to 6.5 percent of Pakistan's GDP.

Chronic exposure to polluted air is estimated to reduce life expectancy in Lahore by up to seven years, contributing to approximately 128,000 premature deaths annually across the country.

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