KABUL (Pajhwok): Based on air quality monitoring organization IQAir, Lahore ranks as the world’s most polluted city, with Kabul coming in second, as particulate matter levels in the Afghan capital soared to 58 µg/m³ on Thursday. As of October 1 at 10:00 PM PT, Kabul’s air quality index (AQI) exceeded 100, placing it in the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category. Nearby cities, including Jalalabad and Peshawar, are also experiencing poor air quality. Despite the spike, forecasts suggest Kabul’s air quality may improve to the “moderate” range later Thursday as winds help disperse pollutants. While Kabul generally experiences moderate air quality, episodes of unhealthy pollution are not uncommon.