Lahore Smog Worsens, Punjab Intensifies Crackdown Across Pollution Hotspots

Lahore faced a major rise in air pollution as slow-moving winds prevented harmful particles from dispersing across the city. The government briefing reported an AQI of 345, while Punjab’s official dashboard showed a city average of 305 at 10:00am, highlighting how readings can change by time and monitoring location. Officials attributed part of the pollution to winds arriving from India and expected some improvement after noon as temperatures and wind speeds increased. On Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s instructions, smog guns, water sprinkling and digital surveillance were intensified in high-AQI areas. Authorities inspected 219 locations over substandard plastic, sealed seven sites, seized 1,238 kilograms of plastic and imposed fines of Rs106,000. Another 128 barbecue and commercial kitchen sites were checked, with suction hoods installed at 64 locations and four sites sealed. Officials also inspected 12 dust-producing sites, issued seven notices and installed a sprinkler at one location. Satellite and motorway data identified 109 crop-burning incidents, leading to Rs1.02 million in fines and 53 cases or prosecution reports. Citizens were urged to maintain vehicle fitness, use carpooling and avoid burning waste, while farmers were advised not to burn crop residue.