Lahore has once again topped the ranking of the world’s most polluted big cities, with air quality reaching dangerous levels, raising serious public health concerns.

According to data from the international environmental monitoring website, the air quality index (AQI) of the provincial capital is 451, which ranks first. India’s capital, New Delhi, ranked second with an AQI of 224.

Several areas of Lahore reported exceptionally high pollution levels. Gulberg had an AQI of 758, followed by Allama Iqbal Town at 752 and Syed Marati B’Ali Road at 613, according to the reported data.

The air pollution situation in other major cities of Punjab also remains alarming. Multan’s AQI was 902, Gujranwala’s AQI was 726 and Faisalabad’s AQI was 389.

Despite ongoing anti-smog measures, harmful air quality continues to affect several districts of Lahore, exposing residents to serious health hazards. Meanwhile, the meteorological department has predicted that there could be rainfall in the next two days. The expected rains may help reduce the intensity of the haze in the area. However, rain may also bring cold weather in Lahore and temperatures are expected to drop.

Investigations into the murder of female anchorperson Rabia Ahsan have made significant progress, with police completing the initial analysis of her two mobile phones, while no evidence of a dispute between her and her husband has emerged so far.

According to investigative sources, both mobile phones belonging to the deceased had no passwords or lock codes, allowing police to access their data without difficulty. Officials said police also investigated conversations between Rabia Ahsan and her husband. However, initial analysis did not reveal any evidence of any arguments or disagreements between the couple. Police officials also confirmed that a preliminary examination of the cell phone did not reveal any evidence of a possible domestic dispute.

Forensic tests on Rabia Ahsan’s cell phone and her husband’s cell phone have not yet been completed, investigators said. The relevant forensic report will be included in the police investigation report (challan) once the forensic examination process is completed.

Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the case further, with the upcoming forensic report seen as a major development in establishing the circumstances of the murder.

Police foiled a major terrorist attack on the Changhos Police Checkpost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Karak district after heavily armed militants launched an assault late at night.

According to District Police Officer (DPO) Karak Fazal Wahid, armed terrorists targeted the checkpost under the cover of darkness and opened intense fire using heavy weapons. However, police officers stationed at the station responded immediately and effectively, successfully repelling the attack.

According to him, the exchange of fire between the police and the attackers began late in the evening and continued until the morning. According to the DPO, following the use of heavy weapons by the attackers, the checkpoint building was partially damaged. However, the police put up strong resistance and forced all the attackers to retreat and flee the area. Police teams pursue the fleeing terrorists to ensure their arrest.

Police officials said the area had been cordoned off and a large-scale search operation had been launched to trace those involved in the attack and bring them to justice. During the search operation, the bomb squad also recovered an improvised explosive device (IED) from the spot.