Smog Returns to Lahore, Pakistan: Learn smog, air quality and particle

News date: 28 October 2026 | English level: B1–B2 | Topics: environment, health

Every autumn and winter, many people in Taiwan open an app to check the air quality. In Lahore, a major city in Pakistan, the pollution at this time of year is far worse. On 28 October, the Swiss air quality company IQAir issued an alert saying that Lahore and Karachi were among the most polluted major cities in the world that day.

The general term is air pollution, and the grey, dirty air you can see is smog. This lesson uses an original short English article to teach words like smog, AQI, particle and guideline. You will use them for weather forecasts, travel planning and small talk with colleagues from other countries.

If you are travelling to South Asia for work or a holiday, you can also learn about local air conditions and how to protect yourself.

Sources: IQAir alert, 28 October, with reference to The Express Tribune and Daily Pakistan. AQI figures and rankings differ between media reports depending on the time and source, so this lesson does not give a single figure.

Try listening once with the player at the top of the page before you read anything. Listen for three key points: Which two cities have the worst pollution? What is the main pollutant? What are residents advised to do? Then read the full English article below, and finish with the plain-English summary in the next section.

English Level: Intermediate (B1–B2) | Topic: Environment, Health

Lahore Struggles to Breathe as Smog Season Returns

Smog has returned to Pakistan's Punjab province, and Lahore is once again among the most polluted major cities in the world. On 28 October, the Swiss air quality company IQAir said Lahore and Karachi were among the worst-ranked big cities that morning. Some urban areas in Pakistan recorded air quality readings between 100 and 500, which ranges from unhealthy to hazardous.

The main problem is PM2.5, tiny particles that can travel deep into the lungs. In 2025, Pakistan's average PM2.5 level was nearly 14 times the World Health Organization's annual guideline. That made Pakistan the most polluted country in IQAir's yearly report.

There is no single cause. Traffic, factories, brick kilns and the burning of crop waste all add to the problem. According to IQAir, crop burning in Punjab usually peaks from late October to mid-November, which is why the smog often gets worse at this time of year.

Residents are advised to spend less time outdoors, keep windows closed and wear a proper mask, such as a KN95. Children, older people and those with breathing problems should take extra care. For travellers, checking the air quality before heading out is now as important as checking the weather.

The English article above is an original learning text written from the IQAir alert and Pakistani media reports. It is not a word-for-word copy of any news report.

Smog is back in Punjab, Pakistan. On 28 October, IQAir said Lahore and Karachi had some of the worst air of any big city in the world that morning. In some cities, the air quality number was between 100 and 500, which means unhealthy to dangerous.

The biggest problem is PM2.5: very small bits of dirt in the air that can get deep into your lungs. In 2025, Pakistan's PM2.5 level was almost 14 times higher than the level the World Health Organization recommends. That made Pakistan the most polluted country in IQAir's report.

Many things cause the pollution: cars, factories, brick kilns, and farmers burning what is left after the harvest. This burning is usually worst from late October to mid-November, so the smog often gets worse at this time of year.

People are told to stay inside more, close their windows and wear a good mask, like a KN95. Children, older people and people with breathing problems need to be extra careful. For travellers, checking the air before going out is now as important as checking the weather.

Here are 10 words and phrases from the article that you can use for weather forecasts and travel planning.

1. smog (n.) thick, polluted air you can see

smog is made from smoke + fog. It means grey, hazy polluted air that you can see.

In the news: Smog has returned to Pakistan's Punjab province.
The polluted air is back in Punjab.

Example: The smog was so thick that I couldn't see Taipei 101 from my office.
Taipei 101 is a famous tall building in Taiwan; the smog hid it from view.

2. air quality index (AQI) (n.) a number showing how clean or polluted the air is

In the news: air quality readings between 100 and 500
Air quality numbers from 100 to 500.

Example: I always check the air quality index before I go jogging.
I look at the AQI before I go for a run.

3. polluted (adj.) made dirty or harmful

In the news: among the most polluted major cities in the world
One of the big cities with the worst pollution.

Example: The river near my hometown used to be very polluted.
The river was very dirty in the past.

4. particle (n.) a very small piece of something

In the news: tiny particles that can travel deep into the lungs
Very small bits that can get deep inside the lungs.

Example: This air purifier can remove very small particles.
The machine cleans tiny bits out of the air.

5. guideline (n.) official advice or a recommended limit

In the news: the World Health Organization's annual guideline
The yearly level the WHO recommends.

Example: Please follow the company guidelines when you work from home.
Follow the company's rules when working from home.

6. crop waste (n. phr.) plant material left after a harvest

In the news: the burning of crop waste
Burning what is left in the fields after the harvest.

Example: Some farmers turn crop waste into compost instead of burning it.
Some farmers use it to make compost rather than burn it.

7. add to (phr. v.) make something bigger or worse

In the news: all add to the problem
They all make the problem worse.

Example: The heavy rain added to the traffic jam this morning.
The rain made the traffic even worse.

8. peak (v. / n.) reach the highest point / the highest point

In the news: crop burning usually peaks from late October to mid-November
Crop burning is usually at its worst from late October to mid-November.

Example: Flight prices peak during Lunar New Year.
Flights are most expensive around Lunar New Year.

9. be advised to (phr.) be told it is best to do something

In the news: Residents are advised to spend less time outdoors.
People who live there are told to stay inside more.

Example: Passengers are advised to arrive at the airport two hours early.
Passengers should get to the airport two hours before the flight.

10. head out (phr. v.) leave, go out

In the news: checking the air quality before heading out
Checking the air before you leave home.

Example: I'm heading out to grab some coffee. Want anything?
A casual way to say you are going out.

Words about the air are easy to mix up. Here they are in one table:

To learn more weather expressions, see Weather English: vocabulary, phrases and dialogues.

All three patterns come from the article, and they are very useful for comparing data and saying what matters most.

Pattern 1: A is once again among the + superlative + plural noun

Original: Lahore is once again among the most polluted major cities in the world.

Key point: be among the + superlative + plural noun means the same as one of the…, but sounds more formal.

Try it: Taipei is among the safest cities in Asia.
Taipei is one of the safest cities in Asia.

Pattern 2: A is (nearly / about) X times B

Original: Pakistan's average PM2.5 level was nearly 14 times the WHO's annual guideline.

Key point: number + times + noun shows how many times bigger something is. X times higher than is also common, but some readers understand it as "X times more on top", so X times + noun is clearest when comparing data.

Try it: Rent in Sydney is about three times the rent in my hometown.
Rent in Sydney is roughly triple the rent where I grew up.

Pattern 3: Doing A is now as important as doing B

Original: Checking the air quality before heading out is now as important as checking the weather.

Key point: gerund as subject + as + adjective + as + gerund. Use it to show that two things matter equally.

Try it: Practising speaking is as important as memorising vocabulary.
Speaking practice matters just as much as learning words.

Scenario: Kevin, an engineer from Taiwan, is going to Lahore for work next month. He has a video call with his Pakistani colleague Ali.

English Conversation

• Kevin: I saw in the news that Lahore is among the most polluted cities right now.
• Ali: Yes, smog season has started. It usually peaks around November.
• Kevin: Should I bring anything special?
• Ali: Definitely bring some KN95 masks. Tiny particles in the air can hurt your lungs.
• Kevin: Got it. Is there an app to check the air quality index?
• Ali: Sure. I check it every morning before I head out.
• Kevin: Thanks, Ali. I'll follow your advice and plan more indoor meetings.

Key phrases

• I saw in the news that … A natural way to bring up something you read.
• among the most polluted cities One of the cities with the worst pollution.
• It usually peaks around … It is usually at its worst around that time.
• Should I bring anything special? A useful question before any trip.
• Definitely bring … A strong, friendly recommendation.
• Got it. Informal for "I understand".
• before I head out Before I leave home.
• I'll follow your advice I will do what you suggest.

To practise communicating with overseas colleagues before a business trip, see Business English letter writing.

Now test how well you understood the article. Try not to look back at it. Choose your answer and press confirm to see the explanation.

Understanding the news is one thing. Chatting about it naturally on a video call or a business trip is another.

Ambitious Learner's one-to-one online English lessons are planned around your level and goals. You can practise speaking about news topics, or practise work situations such as talking with overseas colleagues or role-playing a business trip. To get ready before you travel, see A practical guide to travel English.

For questions about lessons or booking a trial class, please contact us on our official LINE account.

• Global warming is speeding up: another environment story, with climate vocabulary.
• Weather English: vocabulary, phrases and dialogues: for checking and chatting about the weather.
• A practical guide to travel English: English to prepare before you travel abroad.

• IQAir: Pakistan air quality alert (28/10/2026)
• The Express Tribune: Lahore ranks second globally as air pollution persists across Punjab (26/10/2026)
• Daily Pakistan: Lahore ranks world's most polluted city as AQI reaches 358 amid persistent smog (28/10/2026)

Facts checked on 29/10/2026. Lahore's AQI and global ranking differ between media reports depending on the time and source (for example, the Tribune reported second in the world on 26/10 and Daily Pakistan reported first on 28/10), so this lesson only says "among the most polluted". Health protection advice is reported from IQAir and is not medical advice. The English article, example sentences, dialogue and quiz in this lesson are original teaching material written by Ambitious Learner, not word-for-word translations of news reports.