Lahore: The smog crisis in Punjab’s capital has escalated dramatically, with Lahore now ranked the second-most polluted major city in the world, according to data from the air-monitoring platform IQAir.
A thick blanket of smog covered the city yet again, cutting visibility and raising acute health alarms.
AQI Surges to Hazardous Levels
Early-morning readings showed air quality indices in the “hazardous” band, with multiple areas of Lahore registering AQIs well above safe thresholds. Although some improvement followed later in the day, the city’s persistent pollution left it firmly in the global spotlight.
Monitoring stations across Lahore logged extremely high values, many exceeding AQI 300 in high-risk zones such as DHA Phase 8, Gurumangat Road, and Shalimar, underscoring the scale of the emergency.
Outside Lahore, other cities in Punjab were similarly afflicted. For example, reports noted that Gujranwala logged PM values exceeding 600, and Sialkot recorded AQIs over 450, indicating a regional crisis rather than isolated urban pollution.
Health Experts Sound the Alarm
Environmental and health experts reiterated that sustained exposure to such extreme levels of air pollution can lead to serious health emergencies: acute respiratory distress, throat and eye irritation, and worsening of chronic lung and heart disease. They urged residents to avoid outdoor exposure, wear protective masks, and utilise indoor air purifiers where possible.
With the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecasting dry, calm weather across much of Punjab in the coming days, the risk of smog accumulation remains high; meteorological conditions are expected to trap pollutants near the ground, further aggravating the hazard.
Civic Awareness and Enforcement Underway
In Lahore’s China Chowk district, the local group “Nawaz Sharif Lovers” launched an awareness campaign, distributing masks and reminding the public to check vehicle emissions before venturing out, according to Dawn.
Simultaneously, provincial authorities escalated enforcement: in the last 24 hours alone, the Punjab Police filed 28 smog-related cases and imposed fines amounting to PKR 915,000 for offences including crop-residue burning, smoke-emitting vehicles, and brick-kiln violations. Data for the year show 2,548 cases registered, 2,278 arrests, and fines exceeding PKR 192 million against over 91,000 individuals.
Zero-Tolerance Crackdown Intensifies
Punjab’s Inspector General of Police has directed officers to intensify patrols across farms, highways, industrial zones, and construction sites, highlighting a “zero-tolerance” policy for smog-related infractions. Officials emphasise that the scale of the crisis now demands both immediate action and long-term strategy.
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