Lahore’s air quality has shown steady improvement in 2026 compared to last year, despite below-average rainfall and dry seasonal conditions, according to a report released by the Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department on Monday.
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The report highlighted that the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) improved by 58 points between October 2025 and January 10, 2026, with 60 out of 102 days classified as having better air quality. This represents an overall improvement of around 20 percent compared to the same period in 2025.
Month-wise data revealed consistent progress: the AQI improved by eight points in October, 192 points in November, 13 points in December, and 28 points during the first 10 days of January 2026. For instance, November 2025 recorded an average AQI of 261, down from 453 in November 2024, marking a major reduction in hazardous air days.
The report attributes the improvement to government-led measures under the directives of the Punjab Chief Minister, including strict action against smoke-emitting vehicles, substandard fuel use, and industrial emissions. Enhanced field monitoring, data-driven policy-making, inter-departmental coordination, and deployment of smog squads were also cited as key contributors.
Traffic control initiatives and modern industrial regulations helped curb pollution, while the use of advanced monitoring equipment ensured timely intervention at pollution hotspots. The report noted that the 2025 smog season saw fewer days classified in the hazardous category compared to previous years.
Punjab Minister of Environment Protection and Climate Change Marriyum Aurangzeb emphasised that public health remains the government’s top priority. She added that reforms and modern monitoring systems have been implemented to provide citizens with cleaner air and reduce long-term environmental risks.
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Authorities have pledged continued enforcement of environmental laws to maintain and further improve air quality in Lahore.