Air Quality in Pakistan Today
Real-time US AQI for major cities, updated hourly — see which cities have the cleanest and most polluted air right now.
| # | City | US AQI | Category | PM2.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wah Cantonment | 155 | Unhealthy | 42 |
| 2 | Sialkot | 152 | Unhealthy | 40 |
| 3 | Jhang | 152 | Unhealthy | 40 |
| 4 | Islamabad | 151 | Unhealthy | 38 |
| 5 | Rawalpindi | 151 | Unhealthy | 38 |
| 6 | Gujrat | 149 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 37 |
| 7 | Sargodha | 145 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 40 |
| 8 | Mardan | 144 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 41 |
| 9 | Chiniot | 141 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 38 |
| 10 | Faisalabad | 140 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 39 |
| 11 | Multan | 137 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 49 |
| 12 | Quetta | 136 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 34 |
| 13 | Dera Ghazi Khan | 130 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 53 |
| 14 | Peshawar | 129 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 38 |
| 15 | Gujranwala | 127 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 30 |
| 16 | Sheikhupura | 120 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 42 |
| 17 | Kasur | 120 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 65 |
| 18 | Lahore | 119 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 40 |
| 19 | Sahiwal | 118 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 41 |
| 20 | Abbottabad | 114 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 29 |
| 21 | Okara | 102 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 56 |
| 22 | Nawabshah | 89 | Moderate | 32 |
| 23 | Larkana | 88 | Moderate | 28 |
| 24 | Karachi | 85 | Moderate | 24 |
| 25 | Bahawalpur | 85 | Moderate | 25 |
| 26 | Sukkur | 81 | Moderate | 24 |
| 27 | Rahim Yar Khan | 76 | Moderate | 24 |
| 28 | Muzaffarabad | 73 | Moderate | 22 |
| 29 | Hyderabad | 71 | Moderate | 22 |
| 30 | Mirpur Khas | 67 | Moderate | 22 |
Ranked by live US AQI across 30 cities, refreshed hourly. Tap a city for its full air-quality detail. Higher AQI = more polluted.
Understanding air quality in Pakistan
The US Air Quality Index (AQI) turns pollutant levels into a single 0–500 score: 0–50 good, 51–100 moderate, 101–150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy and 301+ hazardous. It is driven mainly by PM2.5 — microscopic particles from traffic, industry and crop or waste burning that penetrate deep into the lungs.
Smog season
From roughly late October to January, cities across Punjab and northern Pakistan — Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan and others — suffer heavy smog as cool, stagnant air traps pollution near the surface. On these days, limit outdoor activity, keep windows shut, and wear an N95 mask outdoors.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most polluted city in Pakistan right now?
Wah Cantonment currently has the highest air pollution in Pakistan, with a US AQI of 155 (Unhealthy). The full live ranking is above.
What is a good AQI level?
AQI 0–50 is “good”, 51–100 “moderate”, 101–150 unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151–200 unhealthy, 201–300 very unhealthy, and 301+ hazardous.
What is PM2.5 and why does it matter?
PM2.5 are fine particles under 2.5 microns — from vehicles, industry and crop or waste burning — that travel deep into the lungs and bloodstream. They are the main driver of AQI in Pakistan.
When is smog season in Pakistan?
Air quality in Punjab and the north is usually worst from late October to January, when cool, still air traps pollution close to the ground.
How can I protect myself from bad air?
On unhealthy days, limit outdoor exertion, keep windows closed, run an air purifier indoors, and wear a well-fitting N95 mask outside — especially children, the elderly and people with heart or lung conditions.
Air-quality data: Open-Meteo. Updated hourly.