Poor air affects more than 20 million people and exposes gaps in long-term pollution control
A view of smog in Punjab province. PHOTO: AFP
LAHORE:
More than 20 million people across Punjab were affected by smog and dangerous air quality in 2025, turning the winter months into a prolonged public health crisis.
Lahore was the worst affected, with more than 600,000 residents seeking medical treatment for illnesses directly related to the smog. Other major cities, including Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala, together reported more than 1.8 million cases, according to health authorities.
Children, the elderly, day laborers and people with pre-existing illnesses were the most vulnerable. Hospitals and clinics saw an increase in respiratory illnesses, with thousands reporting asthma attacks, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and persistent coughs.
Doctors also noted a worsening of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and glaucoma, as prolonged exposure to polluted air harmed already fragile health.
Eye-related complaints were widespread, with patients suffering from burning, tearing, redness, and dry eye. Throat irritation, skin allergies and cardiovascular complications also increased markedly during periods of higher smog. Lahore frequently recorded dangerous levels of the air quality index throughout the winter, repeatedly exceeding limits set by the World Health Organization.
Experts attributed the crisis to a combination of factors, including emissions from more than 10 million registered vehicles, industrial pollution, construction dust and seasonal stubble burning. Cold winter temperatures and stagnant air trapped pollutants close to the ground, allowing smog to persist from October to February in much of the province.
Data from the health department highlighted the magnitude of the problem beyond Lahore. Faisalabad recorded around 400,000 cases of asthma, chronic bronchitis and skin allergies. In Multan, around 350,000 people sought treatment for pneumonia, throat irritation and eye problems. Gujranwala reported 300,000 cases of asthma, bronchitis and cardiovascular problems, while Rawalpindi treated 250,000 patients with respiratory infections, eye discomfort and throat irritation.
Sialkot documented approximately 200,000 cases of chronic cough, eye irritation and skin allergies. In other cities, an estimated 8.9 million people suffered from a combination of respiratory and heart diseases.
As visibility decreased and hospital visits increased, the Punjab government implemented emergency measures. Markets and schools were temporarily closed, factories were shut, water was sprayed on roads and construction sites, and traffic restrictions were imposed to reduce emissions. Air quality monitoring was expanded in Lahore and other cities, while public advisories urged residents to stay indoors, wear masks and limit outdoor activity during days of severe smog.
Health experts, however, warned that these short-term measures are not enough. They emphasized the need for lasting solutions, including stricter controls on industrial emissions, better vehicle fuel standards, better public transportation, and effective anti-agricultural burning law enforcement.
Department of Environmental Protection officials warned that repeated exposure to fine particles like PM2.5 can cause irreversible damage to the lungs, eyes and heart, making smog a chronic threat rather than a seasonal problem.
