Lahore has once again topped the global ranking of the world’s most polluted cities, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 362, placing it in the “hazardous” category.

According to the worldwide air quality monitoring platform IQAir, Lahore’s air quality on Friday deteriorated to a level hazardous for public health, surpassing other major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, and Beijing.

Karachi also featured among the top five polluted cities, recording an AQI of 161.

The hazardous pollution levels pose serious risks to residents, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments.