Lahore experienced a major drop in smog this November, with daily peaks down 56 percent. The city recorded no hazardous AQI days. Experts say favorable weather helped reduce pollution, but risks remain.
The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) reported that maximum daily PM2.5 fell to 237 µg/m³, compared to 539 µg/m³ in November 2024. The monthly average dropped by 37 percent to 181 µg/m³. Year-to-date data shows a 15.6 percent reduction in pollution compared to 2024. PAQI said wind and rainfall prevented extreme accumulation.
Read more: Severe air pollution grips Lahore
Despite improvements, air quality remained “very unhealthy” and exceeded Pakistan’s Environmental Quality Standards (PEQS) every day. Experts warned that structural emissions from industry, vehicles, and crop burning still threaten public health. They emphasized the need for long-term measures to prevent hazardous smog from returning.
Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPA) intensified anti-pollution operations across Lahore. Officials demolished 2,575 illegal polluting units, sealed over 2,500 premises, and registered more than 4,000 FIRs. Industrial fines surpassed Rs711 million. Anti-smog guns misted nearly 55,000 kilometers of roads, and sprinklers targeted crop-burning areas to limit smoke.
Read more: Toxic smog chokes Punjab as Lahore faces severe air crisis
Environment DG Imran Hāmid Sheikh said the department follows a “zero-tolerance approach” against industrial, vehicular, and agricultural pollution. Additional actions included 2,160 water recyclers at service stations, 168 bird-hazard surveillance operations near airports, and thousands of sand-trolley inspections. Authorities stressed that sustained action is crucial to maintain cleaner air year-round.