Amid the rising pollution crisis across the South Asian region, Lahore has emerged as one of the most polluted cities in the world. A thick, hazardous blanket of smog engulfed Lahore on Monday, with real-time data confirming that the city has been immensely polluted and air quality seems extremely concerning. 

As reported by news agency ANI, data from IQAir on Monday evening showed Lahore`s Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to a hazardous level of 312, along with the concentration of PM2.5, which is said to be the most dangerous particulate matter, reaching 190.5 micrograms per cubic meter, amounting to over 25 times higher than the World Health Organisation`s annual air quality guideline.