Pakistan, Jan. 21 -- Lahore has once again become the world's most polluted city, with its air quality reaching "hazardous" levels. The city recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 452 on Wednesday, according to IQAir. Karachi ranked ninth with an AQI of 179, highlighting Pakistan's worsening urban air crisis.

Air pollution in Lahore peaks every winter, driven by industrial emissions, heavy traffic, and crop stubble burning. Experts say wind patterns and limited rainfall worsen smog, trapping toxic particles over the city. Children, the elderly, and people with respiratory conditions face the highest health risks.

Read more: Lahore remains among world's most polluted cities

On Tuesday, IQAir issued a nationwide air quality alert, urging...