KARACHI:
The smog crisis in Punjab continues to worsen. The smog returns every October, severely affecting public health. On October 27, 2026, Lahore’s AQI was recorded at 152 (Unhealthy) and Sialkot’s at 129 (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups), with PM2.5 as the primary pollutant. Last week, Iqbal Town in Lahore recorded a staggering AQI of 342, topping global pollution charts. This is not just fog; it is a health emergency. According to official reports, within a mere 24-hour period, 221 industrial units and 354 brick kilns were found violating environmental laws, yet only a few were sealed. This highlights how widespread these violations truly are. Meanwhile, students are suffering from eye infections and respiratory issues, daily wagers are unable to work, and road visibility has dropped to dangerous levels.
To combat this, permanent solutions are needed. First, the vehicle fitness certificate drive that started on October 15 must be enforced throughout the year, alongside the promotion of electric public transport. Second, all traditional brick kilns must be converted to eco-friendly zigzag technology, backed by government subsidies. Third, instead of simply fining the 215,000 farmers contacted this week for stubble burning, the government should provide affordable residue management machinery and purchase crop residue to produce biofuel. There is a dire need to transition from temporary measures, like spraying water on roads, to comprehensive, long-term planning.
Muzzammil Shahid
Sialkot
