# AQI Lahore today: 142 at 3pm, city ranked world's most polluted at 167 on Friday

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/pakistan/aqi-lahore-today)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 2 Oct 2026
Updated: 2 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 2 Oct 2026

> Lahore's air is unhealthy for sensitive groups and forecast to worsen over the weekend. Today's AQI, what the numbers mean and how to protect yourself.

**AQI Lahore today (Friday 2 October 2026, 3pm PKT): 142, "unhealthy for sensitive groups"** on IQAir's live monitor. Earlier on Friday Lahore topped IQAir's ranking of the world's most polluted major cities with an AQI of **167 ("unhealthy")**, ahead of Dhaka (164) and Cairo (158), [Dawn reported](https://www.dawn.com/news/2034227/lahore-ranked-as-the-most-polluted-city-in-the-world-again). Karachi was 34th at 69.

This page is updated as the smog season goes on, with the newest reading at the top.

## Lahore air quality right now

| Reading (IQAir, 3pm PKT, 2 October) | Value |
|---|---|
| AQI (US) | 142, unhealthy for sensitive groups |
| Main pollutant | PM10, 237.4 µg/m³ |
| PM2.5 | 47 µg/m³, 9.4 times the WHO annual guideline |
| Forecast | 146 today, 153 Saturday, 159 Sunday |

The live number moves through the day. It is usually worst late at night and early in the morning, when cooler air traps smoke and dust close to the ground, and eases in the afternoon. Check the [IQAir Lahore page](https://www.iqair.com/pakistan/punjab/lahore) for the reading this hour.

## What the AQI numbers mean

| AQI | Category | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 50 | Good | Normal activity |
| 51 to 100 | Moderate | Very sensitive people limit long outdoor effort |
| 101 to 150 | Unhealthy for sensitive groups | Children, older people, and anyone with asthma or heart disease cut outdoor exercise |
| 151 to 200 | Unhealthy | Everyone limits time outdoors; sensitive groups stay in |
| 201 to 300 | Very unhealthy | Avoid outdoor activity |
| 301+ | Hazardous | Stay indoors |

## How to protect yourself in Lahore

IQAir's advice at today's levels:

1. **Cut outdoor exercise**, especially morning walks and evening cricket when levels peak.
2. **Keep windows closed** when the AQI is above 150.
3. **Wear a mask outdoors** if you are in a sensitive group; an N95 or KN95 filters fine particles, a cloth mask does not.
4. **Run an air purifier** indoors if you have one, in the room where you sleep.

## Why it gets worse from October

The smog season runs roughly from October to February. Industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust and the burning of rice stubble across Punjab combine with cooler, still air that traps pollution near the ground. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said this week that smog levels had fallen over three years: "I won't say there is zero smog, but there is less smog," Dawn reported.

For the temperature and forecast, see [Lahore weather today](/weather/lahore).

## Frequently asked questions

**What is the AQI in Lahore today?**

At 3pm PKT on 2 October 2026, IQAir showed Lahore's AQI at 142, unhealthy for sensitive groups, with PM10 the main pollutant. Earlier the same day it reached 167 and topped IQAir's world ranking.

**Is it safe to exercise outdoors in Lahore at AQI 150?**

Children, older people and anyone with asthma or heart disease should cut outdoor exercise above AQI 100. Above 150 everyone should limit time outdoors.

## Sources

- Lahore air quality index (AQI) and PM2.5, 2 October 2026 (IQAir): https://www.iqair.com/pakistan/punjab/lahore
- Lahore ranked as the most polluted city in the world, again (Dawn): https://www.dawn.com/news/2034227/lahore-ranked-as-the-most-polluted-city-in-the-world-again

How to cite: "AQI Lahore today: 142 at 3pm, city ranked world's most polluted at 167 on Friday", Searchable, 2 Oct 2026, https://searchable.pk/news/pakistan/aqi-lahore-today