US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose additional tariffs on Canada, arguing that the economic impact of wildfire smoke drifting into the United States should be considered in future trade measures. Read More: House votes to overturn Trump’s Canada tariffs Speaking during a primetime address on Friday, Trump said the cost of pollution caused by […]
air quality
EPA cracks down: 41 units demolished for smog
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told the Lahore High Court it demolished 41 industrial units and nine brick kilns to curb smog. The agency also sealed 127 units and filed cases against 109 violators for environmental breaches. Officials said fines totaling Rs171 million were imposed on polluters. According to the EPA report, 81 industrial units, […]
Lahore air quality improves despite dry weather
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. Read More: Lahore’s air quality shows marked improvement The report highlighted that the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) improved […]
Lahore’s air quality shows marked improvement
Lahore’s air quality has shown a significant improvement under the environment friendly initiatives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, despite below average rainfall and dry weather conditions during the current season. According to an analytical report, Lahore recorded consistent improvement in its Air Quality Index AQI in 2026 compared to 2025. The report notes […]
Lahore tops world pollution list, AQI unhealthy
Lahore has been ranked the world’s most polluted city, with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 260, placing the provincial capital firmly in the “unhealthy” category, according to recent monitoring data. Certain areas recorded extremely high pollution levels, raising serious health concerns. The highest AQI was observed near the CERP office at 372, followed […]
Pak-EPA warns of strict action against smoke-emitting vehicles in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Environment Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) has issued a stern warning to owners of smoke-emitting vehicles in the federal capital, announcing strict punitive measures for violators. Officials said that vehicles found releasing excessive emissions would face on-the-spot fines, confiscation, or both. Read More: Smoke–emitting vehicles to face heavy fines in Islamabad Pak-EPA Director General Nazia Zaib […]
LHC flags excessive construction as key source of Lahore pollution
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday expressed deep concern over the escalating construction activities in the city, identifying them as a major contributor to pollution. Justice Shahid Karim, hearing multiple petitions on smog and environmental hazards, emphasized that anti-smog measures alone would be ineffective under current conditions. Read More: Lahore’s first smog control tower […]
Punjab schools ban mobile phones amid rising smog
LAHORE: The Punjab School Education Department has imposed a strict ban on the use of mobile phones by students in all public and private schools across the province. The directive, issued to district education authorities, requires immediate enforcement and emphasizes strict compliance. Schools have been instructed to encourage students’ participation in academic and co-curricular activities, […]
Hazardous smog chokes Punjab as AQI hits alarming levels
LAHORE: A dangerous blanket of smog covered much of Punjab on Thursday, with air quality reaching hazardous levels in multiple major cities and posing a severe threat to public health. While Lahore remained the epicentre of the crisis, international monitoring platform IQAir reported alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) readings across the province, including 469 in […]
Citizens, Lahore AQI and the Next Phase of Smog Mitigation
Government Action Got the Ball Rolling The state moved first: more monitors (from 3 to 41, with 100 planned by June 2026), 14 mobile units to chase hot spots, 8,500 industries under centralized oversight, 11,320 kilns geo-tagged and pushed to zig-zag tech, 2,300 sealed and 2,000+ demolished, Rs 245 million in fines, 5,000 super-seeders subsidized, […]