As Punjab faces yet another season of toxic air, the haze hanging over the province has become more than just a visual blight – it is a silent killer. Hospitals in Lahore are receiving thousands suffering with smog-related ailments as air pollution levels in the city continue to surge. Doctors warn that the situation has escalated into a full-blown health emergency.

Lahore was ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities, with its concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) averaging around 262 microgrammes per cubic metre – over 17 times higher than what the World Health Organisation considers safe.

According to global air quality monitoring agency IQAir, Lahore’s overall AQI was recorded at 318 on Wednesday, while certain localities reported readings between 647 and 855. H

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