Lahore, Pakistan: Air quality across Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, deteriorated further on Saturday, with its capital, Lahore, once again ranked among the most polluted cities in the world as dense smog blanketed major urban areas and severely reduced visibility.
According to IQAir, a global air-quality monitoring platform, Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) spiked to an extremely hazardous level of 577 early Saturday, marking the city’s fourth consecutive day near the top of the world pollution rankings. Levels improved slightly later in the day, placing Lahore second on the global index, but pollution remained firmly in the hazardous range.
Other monitoring stations in the city also reported dangerous readings, with AQIs of 448 in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) neighborhood, 342 along Gurumangat Road, and 305 in the Shalimar area on Saturday evening.
The toxic smog was not limited to Lahore. Major industrial cities across Punjab recorded similarly alarming conditions. Gujranwala posted an AQI of 632, while Sialkot recorded 462, both far exceeding internationally accepted safety thresholds.
Environmental experts warn that exposure to such levels of particulate matter can trigger severe respiratory illnesses, eye and throat irritation, and long-term health complications. Authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activity, wear protective masks, and take other precautions as the smog persists.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasted dry conditions across most of Punjab, warning that smog formation could intensify in low-lying areas due to stagnant weather patterns. Cooler, drier weather is expected in nearby regions such as Kashmir and the hill stations of Murree and Galliyat.
Local groups and authorities continued efforts to curb pollution. In Lahore, volunteers launched a public awareness campaign, distributing masks and urging residents to conduct emissions checks on their vehicles.
Meanwhile, Punjab police intensified a province-wide crackdown on pollution violations, registering 28 new cases in the past 24 hours. Offenses included crop-residue burning, smoke-emitting vehicles, and violations at brick kilns — all major contributors to seasonal smog.
Overall, police reported that 2,548 cases have been registered and 2,278 arrests made this year as part of the anti-smog initiative. Fines totaling more than Rs192 million (approx. USD 690,000) have been issued for various violations, including industrial emissions and agricultural burning.
Punjab’s Inspector General of Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, has ordered authorities to intensify monitoring and enforcement, particularly along highways, industrial zones, and agricultural areas, reiterating that violators of environmental regulations will face zero tolerance.
The worsening smog crisis has become an annual challenge for Lahore and other cities in Pakistan’s industrial heartland, driven by vehicle emissions, crop burning, industrial output, and winter weather patterns that trap pollutants close to the ground. Public health experts warn that without stronger long-term reforms, hazardous air quality could become an increasingly persistent threat.
