Lahore has once again topped global pollution rankings, recording an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 303 as thick smog spread across Punjab, compounded by smoke drifting from Diwali celebrations and polluted air moving in from Indian Punjab.
The reading placed the provincial capital at the summit of worldwide pollution charts, signalling atmospheric conditions classified as unhealthy for the city’s population.
Alarming Readings Across Lahore
Pollution levels were particularly severe in several neighbourhoods of the city, with monitoring stations reporting hazardous concentrations:
- Gulberg II recorded an AQI of 639
- Syed Maratib Ali Road registered 475
- Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate stood at 470
- Barki Road recorded 370
- Allama Iqbal Town reached 342
The disparity between the citywide average and localized readings underscores how industrial and traffic-dense areas are bearing the brunt of the crisis.
Multan and Bahawalpur Among Worst Hit
The environmental emergency extends well beyond Lahore. Multan reported an extraordinary AQI of 971, while Bahawalpur recorded 796, reflecting the widespread deterioration of air quality across the province.
According to the Meteorological Department, Lahore’s temperature is expected to range between 18 and 29 degrees Celsius. Wind speed was recorded at just two kilometres per hour, while humidity reached 70 per cent — conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground and hinder dispersal.
Government Cracks Down on Polluters
The Punjab government has intensified enforcement measures targeting local pollution sources. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said authorities were continuing action against activities contributing to poor air quality, with relevant departments actively monitoring conditions on the ground.
She added that anti-smog operations were underway in areas recording high AQI readings, including the use of smog-control guns and water spraying to help reduce airborne pollution.
As part of the enforcement campaign, officials inspected 28 industrial facilities across the province. Three industrial units and 11 brick kilns were subsequently sealed over violations.
Regional Factors Deepen the Crisis
Authorities have pointed to a combination of factors driving the hazardous conditions, including smoke from Diwali celebrations across the border in India and polluted air drifting from Indian Punjab. These transboundary contributions are compounding the effects of local emissions from industry, vehicular traffic and seasonal crop burning.
With wind speeds remaining low and humidity high, forecasters warn that the smog is unlikely to disperse quickly, leaving millions across Punjab exposed to dangerous air quality in the days ahead.
