Lahore: Pakistan 's cultural city Lahore been declared the most polluted city in the world, with an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 394, and the Pakistan's Punjab government has planned for artificial rain to mitigate smog impact.

Lahore remained on the top of world's most polluted cities rankings for the second consecutive day amid the intensifying smog crisis in the provincial capital as winter approaches. The

Lahore and Delhi are currently the most polluted cities globally, with Lahore at an AQI of 232 and Delhi at 204. Both cities face 'very unhealthy' air quality due to factors like vehicular emissions,

Earlier on October 12, Lahore also reported the worst air quality globally, alarming environmental officials about an early start to the smog season. Last year, the city first topped the list of the most polluted cities in the final week of October during the smog season.

It would be the second time that Lahore, the cultural capital of Pakistan and one of the cities to regularly face worst pollution, would carry out cloud seeding for artificial rain.

Pakistan’s Lahore was declared the most polluted city in the world on Monday with an alarming AQI of 394. Punjab province on Tuesday said it has planned artificial rains to mitigate the impact of smog after Lahore faced an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 394.

Punjab province plans artificial rain to combat Lahore's severe smog following an AQI of 394, citing health issues like breathing difficulties. Officials are also pressing for joint efforts with India to tackle cross-border stubble burning and are promoting environmental education among farmers.