Citizens are strictly advised to keep vehicle windows closed and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities: Marriyum Aurangzeb
People wear face masks to protect themselves from morning smog while cycling on a road in Lahore. Photo: Reuters
The Punjab government has made wearing face masks mandatory for motorcyclists amid rising air pollution across the province. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that the government has completed extensive preparations to minimize the impact of cross-border pollution.
“We have activated anti-smog weapons and started large-scale water spraying on major roads since last night,” the minister said in a statement on Monday.
“Citizens are strongly advised to wear masks, keep vehicle windows closed and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, especially during the morning and evening hours when smog tends to thicken,” he added.
Authorities have also made wearing masks mandatory for cyclists in Lahore and other urban centres. Water spraying and anti-smog gun operations are being carried out in key areas such as Karim Block, Multan Road, Ravi Bridge, Shahdara Flyover, Thokar Niaz Baig, Upper Mall Scheme and GT Road.
City administration officials have been instructed to ensure that construction materials at ongoing sites and vehicles transporting goods are completely covered with tarpaulins to minimize dust emissions.
The EPA said a marginal improvement in air quality is expected between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. due to slight atmospheric changes, but warned that fog and low visibility may persist throughout the day.
The agency also urged citizens to refrain from burning waste, a common practice in both rural and urban areas, which further intensifies particle pollution.
Thick layers of smog cover Punjab
Thick layers of smog continued to blanket Punjab on Monday as polluted winds from India crossed the border, drastically deteriorating air quality in several cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad and Kasur.
According to data released by the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average provincial air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 177, a level considered “unhealthy” for sensitive groups.
EPA figures show that Kasur once again topped the list of Punjab’s most polluted districts, with an AQI of 268. Faisalabad followed closely 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. Inside Lahore, the situation was especially alarming in several localities.
Kahna Nau and FMD Research Center reported AQI readings above 300, putting 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 worsening air quality to Diwali in India
Meteorological data indicate that winds blowing at approximately five kilometers per hour from Indian cities such as Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Patiala and Gurdaspur have begun to transport high concentrations of particles to Pakistani territory.
Officials said Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar are directly affected. Similar winds from the Indian regions of Jodhpur and Jaipur are also contributing to the haze over southern Punjab.
Environmental experts say that in addition to India’s Diwali celebrations, during which fireworks are launched on a large scale, the burning of crop residues also spews dangerous levels of pollutants into the atmosphere. The consequences, they said, are now shifting westward.
Lahore, the 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 top cities on the list were Karachi (167), Kolkata (158) and Mumbai (156), highlighting a regional smog crisis across South Asia. Environmental experts warn that if current weather patterns persist, pollution levels may continue to rise over the coming days.
The EPA emphasized that public cooperation and long-term planning are imperative to minimizing the impact of smog. “Every small action counts,” the agency said in its notice. “Reducing vehicle use, avoiding open burning and maintaining vehicle fitness are key steps to achieving cleaner air. The fight against smog cannot be won with government measures alone: it requires joint efforts.”
Authorities plan to continue daily monitoring and publish updated AQI reports to guide the public in minimizing the impact. As winter intensifies and winds subside, experts warn that Punjab could experience recurring waves of smog unless regional coordination and strict enforcement measures are maintained on both sides of the border.
