Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that pollution levels are likely to increase in Lahore as pollutants from Indian cities are expected to enter the city due to easterly winds.
In a statement on Sunday, she noted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to improve with a change in wind direction in the morning. Mechanical street washing is currently underway in Lahore to help control dust and pollution.
She added that water spraying and real-time air quality monitoring are ongoing, while inspections of kilns and industrial units are being conducted to ensure compliance with environmental standards.
The Senior Minister emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for lighting fires in open areas, with daily fines being imposed on violators of SOPs.
Marriyum Aurangzeb further stated that smog emergency squads remain on 24/7 alert across the province, special anti-smog duties of the traffic police have been intensified, and a crackdown is being carried out against vehicles emitting excessive smoke.
The provincial capital Lahore recorded an average AQI of 181 on Sunday, with levels spiking above 450 in the early hours.
According to IQ Air, air quality remained unhealthy as the PM2.5 concentration was 19.6 times higher than the WHO’s annual guideline. The most polluted areas included AC Office Shalimar Complex, Wahga, Allama Iqbal Town, Barki, Bedian Road, several phases of DHA, AC Saddar/Cantt, Johar Town, Civil Secretariat and Askari 10. The MET Office forecast dry weather for the next 24 hours.
Lahore experienced dry and cold weather on Sunday, with similar conditions expected on Monday.
The Met officials cautioned that day and night temperatures in the northern regions may drop further over the coming days, as continental air continues to dominate most parts of the country.
They forecast mainly cold and dry weather, with very cold conditions in northern areas, especially during morning and night hours. Shallow to moderate smog or fog is likely to develop in patches over the plain areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during morning and night.