Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province, has been labeled as the most polluted city globally on Saturday due to the severe smog enveloping the area, impacting the lives of 14 million residents. The city registered a hazardous US Air Quality Index (AQI) of 412 at 8:30 am, with PM2.5 levels exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended annual threshold by 56.2 units, data from air quality monitoring platform IQAir revealed.
Residents in Lahore experienced throat irritation, itchy eyes, and breathing issues as the toxic haze lingered over the city for several days. Experts advised the public to wear face masks and restrict outdoor activities. The city faces recurring air pollution challenges during winter, exacerbated by colder temperatures, sluggish wind speeds, vehicle and industrial emissions, and crop residue burning that trap pollutants near the ground in Punjab province.
On the previous day, Lahore recorded a hazardous AQI of 362, with pollution levels peaking in specific neighborhoods like Shalimar with an AQI of 690, followed by Shadman at 611 and Syed Maratib Ali Road at 609, as reported by The Dawn. The Pakistan Meteorological Department has cautioned that the smog is expected to persist over eastern Punjab for a few more days.
The primary factors contributing to the hazardous smog in Lahore are emissions from vehicles and industries, posing significant risks of respiratory illnesses, especially for children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. Additionally, local emissions combined with pollutants drifting in from India, triggered by Diwali fireworks and low wind speeds, worsened the air quality across Pakistani cities like Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, and Multan.
To address the escalating air pollution crisis, the Punjab government has implemented various measures such as banning plastic bags, relocating brick kilns, establishing a ‘smog war room,’ and launching a helpline for reporting environmental violations. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasized the government’s comprehensive plan to combat the crisis, including a ban on plastic bags for the first time in Punjab’s history.
Furthermore, the government initiated a public awareness campaign promoting a cleaner environment and encouraged active participation in pollution control efforts. Anti-smog guns and water sprinkling tankers have been deployed on key Lahore roads, with nine departments collaborating on operational strategies. The Lahore police have taken action by arresting 83 individuals involved in activities contributing to the smog, such as emissions from factories and vehicles, and the burning of tires and waste.