Lahore's air quality index tops 500 at several monitoring sites
Residents were urged to avoid unnecessary outdoor trips and wear masks, while temperatures in the city are forecast to range from 17 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Air pollution in Lahore has become extremely alarming, with the air quality index reaching 548 in Paragon Society, according to the Environment Department.
On Thursday, the department recorded the index at 508 near FC College and 414 in the Model Town area, placing the city's readings well above the danger threshold on the scale it used.
Experts advised residents to avoid stepping outside unnecessarily and to wear masks whenever they go out, as pollution levels continued to rise.
The Meteorological Department said Lahore's minimum temperature over the next 24 hours was likely to be 17 degrees Celsius, with a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius.
Lahore frequently experiences smog during the winter months, when cool air and weak winds can trap pollutants close to the ground.
Vehicle emissions, industrial activity and the burning of crop residue in neighboring areas are commonly cited as contributors to the city's pollution problem.
Under the widely used US Air Quality Index scale, readings above 300 are generally classed as hazardous, meaning air at that level can pose serious health risks to the general population.
Health experts generally advise people with asthma, heart conditions and young children to take extra care during periods of high pollution.
