In pictures: Smog engulfs parts of Pakistan as Punjab air quality reaches 'hazardous' levels
AI Summary
Hazardous smog has blanketed parts of Pakistan, with Lahore ranked the world’s most polluted major city and an AQI reading of 425. Government readings in Muzaffargarh and Nankana Sahib reached 500, exposing residents to severe air pollution.
Smog engulfed Pakistani skies on Wednesday as air quality continued to hover in the “hazardous” category, according to IQAir. Of the major cities globally, IQAir ranked Lahore as the most polluted again on Wednesday, between 11am to noon, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 425, with levels above 300 being considered “hazardous”. The Punjab government’s readings for the same hour showed that Muzaffargarh and Nankana Sahib’s AQI levels were at 500. Men play football amid smog and air pollution during the early morning in Lahore, Pakistan on November 11, 2026. —Reuters Pedestrians walk along a street amid dense smog in Multan on November 11, 2026. —AFP The sun rises amid smog and air pollution in the early morning in Karachi, Pakistan on November 11, 2026. —Reuters A worker sweeps a road amid smog and air pollution in the early morning in Multan, Pakistan on November 11, 2026. —Reuters A man crosses a busy street amid dense smog in Multan on November 11, 2026. —AFP Women walk inside a park amid smoggy conditions in Lahore on November 11, 2026. —AFP People exercise outdoors amid smoggy conditions in Lahore on November 11, 2026. —AFP Commuters ride along a street amid dense smog in Multan on November 11, 2026. —AFP A man exercises in a park amid smoggy conditions in Lahore on November 11, 2026. —AFP A woman walks wearing a mask amid smog and air pollution during the early morning in Lahore, Pakistan on November 11, 2026. —Reuters A man pulls a pitch roller amid smog and air pollution during the early morning in Lahore, Pakistan on November 11, 2026. —Reuters Header image: A man rides a motorcycle amid smog and air pollution in the early morning in Multan, Pakistan on November 11, 2026. —Reuters