LAHORE: Lahore has once again been ranked the most-polluted city in the world, with the citywide Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 475 on Friday. Severe smog has engulfed much of Punjab, putting millions of residents at serious health risk. Certain areas of Lahore reported even higher AQI levels, including Syed Maratab Ali Road at 804, Gulberg at 678, and DHA at 569.
Other major cities in Punjab are also experiencing hazardous air conditions, with Faisalabad recording an AQI of 626, Sialkot 601, and Gujranwala 515. Health experts have urged residents, particularly children and the elderly, to wear masks, limit outdoor activities, and use air purifiers at home to mitigate the effects of toxic air.
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Environmental specialists blame the persistent smog on crop residue burning, industrial emissions, and heavy traffic congestion. Authorities are rolling out measures to tackle the crisis, including the upgraded Smog Mitigation Projects Tracking Dashboard (SMPT 2.0) to enhance real-time monitoring and inter-departmental coordination.
During a high-level meeting chaired by Planning & Development Board Secretary Rafaqat Ali, updates were shared on initiatives such as the Punjab Digital Transport Governance System, distribution of e-bikes to reduce vehicle emissions, and a 25 percent reduction in stubble burning aided by the delivery of over 4,700 “super seeders” to farmers.
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Departments have also taken steps to raise public awareness, with AQI display screens in Lahore, smog centres in hospitals, and district-level campaigns by the health department. Officials emphasized prompt reporting of anti-smog activities on the new dashboard to ensure transparency and effective implementation.