Lahore Declared World's Most Polluted City by IQAir, AQI Reaches Dangerous Levels

• Lahore, Pakistan, was named the world's most polluted city on Wednesday by Swiss air quality monitor IQAir, with an AQI of 452.
• Karachi also featured on the list, ranking ninth globally with an AQI of 179, indicating severe air quality issues across Pakistan.
• Air pollution, particularly smog during winter, is a major environmental problem in Pakistan, attributed to factory and vehicle emissions, stubble burning, and slow winds.
• IQAir had previously issued an air quality alert for Pakistan, with Lahore's AQI reaching 501 and Karachi's 178 on Tuesday.
• Residents are advised to stay indoors, keep windows closed, wear masks outdoors, and use air purifiers due to hazardous pollution levels.

Why It Matters: Lahore tops the global pollution chart, highlighting Pakistan's severe and worsening air quality crisis.