Citizens are strictly advised to keep vehicle windows closed, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity: Marriyum Aurangzeb
People wear face masks to protect themselves from the morning smog as they cycle along a road in Lahore. Photo: Reuters
The Punjab government has made the use of face masks mandatory for motorcyclists amid rising air pollution across the province, meanwhile, senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that the government has completed extensive preparations to minimize the impact of cross-border pollution.
“We have activated anti-smog guns and started sprinkling water on a large scale over major thoroughfares since last night,” the senior minister said in a statement on Monday.
“Citizens are strongly advised to wear masks, keep car windows closed and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, especially during the morning and evening hours when smog tends to thicken,” she added.
The authorities have also made it mandatory for cyclists to wear masks in Lahore and other urban centres. Anti-smog guns and water sprinklers are being carried out in key areas including Karim Block, Multan Road, Ravi Bridge, Shahdara Flyover, Thokar Niaz Baig, Upper Mall Scheme and GT Road.
Officials from the city administration have been instructed to ensure that covering of building materials at ongoing construction sites and vehicles transporting goods are fully covered to minimize dust emissions.
The EPA said a marginal improvement in air quality is expected between 1pm and 5pm due to slight atmospheric changes, but warned that haze and low visibility may continue throughout the day.
The agency also urged citizens to refrain from burning waste, a common practice in both rural and urban areas that further intensifies particulate pollution.
Thick layers of smog blanket Punjab
Thick layers of smog continued to cover Punjab on Monday as polluted winds from India drifted across the border, severely degrading air quality in several cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad and Kasur.
According to data released by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab, the average provincial air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 177 – a level considered ‘unhealthy’ for sensitive groups.
EPA figures show that Kasur again topped the list of the most polluted districts in Punjab with an AQI of 268. Faisalabad followed closely behind with a reading of 248, while Dera Ghazi Khan and Lahore recorded AQI levels of 229 and 227 respectively.
Sahiwal, Multan and Gujranwala also reported AQI levels above 170, highlighting that the smog crisis has spread widely across central and southern Punjab. In Lahore, the situation was particularly alarming in several localities.
Kahna Nau and FMD Research Center reported AQI readings above 300, placing them in the ‘very unhealthy’ category, while other areas, including Shadra, Egerton Road and Safari Park, recorded levels between 220 and 265.
Environmental experts attribute deteriorating air quality to Diwali in India
Meteorological data indicates that winds blowing at approximately five kilometers per hour from Indian cities including Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Patiala and Gurdaspur have begun to transport high concentrations of particulate matter into Pakistani territory.
Officials said Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar are directly affected. Similar winds from the Indian regions of Jodhpur and Jaipur also contribute to the haze over southern Punjab.
Environmental experts say that in addition to the Diwali celebrations in India, where large-scale fireworks are carried out, existing crop residues are also pushing dangerous levels of pollutants into the atmosphere. The fallout, they said, is now drifting west.
Lahore second most polluted city in the world
Meanwhile, international monitoring platforms ranked Lahore as the second most polluted city in the world, only behind Delhi (180). Other major cities on the list included Karachi (167), Kolkata (158) and Mumbai (156), highlighting a regional smog crisis across South Asia. Environmental experts warn that if current weather patterns continue, pollution levels could continue to rise over the next few days.
EPA stressed, public cooperation and long-term planning is a must to minimize the impact of smog. “Every little action counts,” the agency said in its advisory. “Reducing the use of vehicles, avoiding open burning and maintaining vehicle condition are key steps towards cleaner air. The fight against smog cannot be won by government measures alone – it requires a joint effort.”
Authorities plan to continue daily monitoring and publish updated AQI reports to guide the public in minimizing impacts. As winter deepens and winds die down, experts warn that Punjab could see recurring smog waves unless regional coordination and strict enforcement measures are maintained on both sides of the border.
