Lahore: Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan, once again topped the list of most polluted cities in the world. “Lahore topped the world’s most polluted cities,” according to air pollution data released on Monday by the US Air Quality Index.
According to the index, Lahore has a rating of 423 of Minor Particles (PM). Karachi, Pakistan’s economic capital, ranked seventh in AQI. India’s capital New Delhi finished second with an AQI of 229.
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, was ranked third among the most polluted cities, with PM 178 recorded. The Environmental Protection Agency of America considers AQI within 50 as ‘satisfactory’.
Lahore’s AQI was in the 301 and above category which is considered ‘dangerous’. According to earlier reports by the Food and Agriculture Organization and environmental experts, stubble burning, transportation and industries cause pollution throughout the year. Many brick kilns are operating the old way. Recently, the government also ordered the closure of such brick kilns, but some are still operating.
