Islamabad Air Quality (AQI) Today
Air is unhealthy for sensitive groups (AQI 149). Others can be active but watch for symptoms.
The air quality in Islamabad right now is Unhealthy (sensitive) (US AQI 149), with PM2.5 around 39 µg/m³. Children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
- Dominant pollutant: Ozone (O₃)
- #4 most polluted of 30 PK cities we track
| # | City | US AQI | Category | PM2.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wah Cantonment | 154 | Unhealthy | 42 |
| 2 | Jhang | 152 | Unhealthy | 41 |
| 3 | Sialkot | 151 | Unhealthy | 36 |
| 4 | Islamabad | 149 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 39 |
| 5 | Rawalpindi | 149 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 39 |
| 6 | Gujrat | 148 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 34 |
| 7 | Sargodha | 144 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 38 |
| 8 | Mardan | 144 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 41 |
| 9 | Chiniot | 141 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 38 |
| 10 | Faisalabad | 140 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 40 |
| 11 | Quetta | 140 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 27 |
| 12 | Multan | 139 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 42 |
| 13 | Dera Ghazi Khan | 131 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 50 |
| 14 | Peshawar | 129 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 39 |
| 15 | Gujranwala | 125 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 30 |
| 16 | Kasur | 123 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 66 |
| 17 | Sheikhupura | 120 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 44 |
| 18 | Lahore | 119 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 40 |
| 19 | Sahiwal | 119 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 43 |
| 20 | Abbottabad | 111 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 31 |
| 21 | Okara | 105 | Unhealthy (sensitive) | 54 |
| 22 | Nawabshah | 89 | Moderate | 32 |
| 23 | Larkana | 88 | Moderate | 25 |
| 24 | Bahawalpur | 86 | Moderate | 25 |
| 25 | Karachi | 85 | Moderate | 24 |
| 26 | Sukkur | 81 | Moderate | 23 |
| 27 | Rahim Yar Khan | 76 | Moderate | 23 |
| 28 | Muzaffarabad | 73 | Moderate | 18 |
| 29 | Hyderabad | 71 | Moderate | 22 |
| 30 | Mirpur Khas | 67 | Moderate | 22 |
| AQI | Category | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 | Good | Air is clean; enjoy outdoor activity. |
| 51–100 | Moderate | Acceptable; unusually sensitive people take it easy. |
| 101–150 | Unhealthy for Sensitive ← now | Children, elderly & asthmatics limit long outdoor exertion. |
| 151–200 | Unhealthy | Everyone reduce prolonged outdoor exertion; sensitive groups stay in. |
| 201–300 | Very Unhealthy | Avoid outdoor activity; wear N95 outside; run a purifier. |
| 301+ | Hazardous | Health emergency — stay indoors, seal windows, mask if you must go out. |
Air quality in Islamabad
Right now Islamabad has a US AQI of 149 (Unhealthy (sensitive)), with PM2.5 around 39 µg/m³. Children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion. The AQI is driven mainly by PM2.5 — fine particles from traffic, industry and burning that reach deep into the lungs. Values update hourly.
What PM2.5 does to your health
PM2.5 particles are small enough to pass from the lungs into the bloodstream. Short-term exposure can cause coughing, throat irritation, watery eyes and breathlessness; sustained exposure is linked to asthma, heart and lung disease. Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with existing heart or respiratory conditions are most at risk and should watch the AQI closely.
How to protect yourself on high-AQI days
When the AQI is high: stay indoors and keep windows closed during peak pollution, run an air purifier with a HEPA filter if you have one, avoid outdoor exercise (your breathing rate multiplies your exposure), and wear a well-fitting N95/KN95 mask outside — ordinary cloth or surgical masks do little against PM2.5. Rinse eyes and nose after being outdoors, and keep sensitive family members in the cleanest room.
Smog season in Pakistan
From November to January, many Punjab cities — Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala and beyond — suffer severe smog. Cool, still winter air traps emissions near the ground (a temperature inversion), while crop-residue and waste burning add fine particles. This is when AQI readings most often reach “Unhealthy” or worse, so checking the daily figure matters most in these months.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AQI in Islamabad today?
The US Air Quality Index in Islamabad is 149 right now — “Unhealthy (sensitive)”. PM2.5 is about 39 µg/m³. Children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Is the air in Islamabad safe today?
Air quality in Islamabad is Unhealthy (sensitive) (AQI 149). Children, older adults and people with heart or lung conditions should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
What is the main pollutant in Islamabad?
The dominant pollutant in Islamabad right now is Ozone (O₃). Overall AQI is driven mainly by PM2.5 fine particles.
How does Islamabad compare to other cities?
Islamabad currently ranks #4 most polluted of 30 Pakistani cities we track. See the live ranking above.
What is PM2.5 and why does it matter?
PM2.5 are fine particles smaller than 2.5 microns — from vehicle exhaust, industry, brick kilns and crop or waste burning. They are small enough to reach deep into the lungs and bloodstream, which is why PM2.5 is the pollutant that most often drives the AQI and the main health concern.
Do I need a mask in Islamabad today?
At AQI 149, most people don't need a mask outdoors. Sensitive individuals may still prefer an N95 on higher-pollution days.
Why does Islamabad get so much smog in winter?
In late autumn and winter, cooler air and low wind trap pollution near the ground (a temperature inversion), while crop-residue and waste burning add to it. This seasonal smog is why AQI in Punjab cities often spikes from November to January.