Lahore was ranked as the second most polluted city in the world on Wednesday, while Karachi secured the fourth spot among the globe’s most polluted metropolises.

 Within Pakistan, Multan topped the list of polluted cities with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 324, followed by Lahore at 305.

Peshawar ranked third on the national list, trailed by Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.

Punjab has been grappling with severe air pollution and smog as winter sets in, despite provincial authorities' efforts to curb hazardous conditions. The pollution, fueled by low-grade diesel emissions, agricultural burning, and cooling winter temperatures, has significantly impacted public health, with Lahore consistently ranking among the most polluted cities globally.

At its peak, Lahore's air pollution reached levels more than 80 times higher than WHO's acceptable limits. The government has implemented measures to mitigate the crisis, including closing schools and restricting business operating hours to reduce exposure to the toxic smog.