Face masks made mandatory for bikers as Punjab battles worsening smog

Citizens strictly advised to keep vehicle windows closed, avoid unnecessary outdoor activity: Marriyum Aurangzeb

The Punjab government has made the use of face masks mandatory for motorcyclists amid rising air pollution across the province, Meanwhile, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that the government has completed extensive preparations to minimise the impact of transboundary pollution.

“We have activated anti-smog guns and started large-scale water sprinkling across major thoroughfares since last night,” the senior minister said in a statement on Monday.

“Citizens are strongly advised to use masks, keep vehicle windows closed, and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity, especially during morning and evening hours when smog tends to thicken,” she added.

Authorities have also made mask-wearing mandatory for bike riders in Lahore and other urban centres. Anti-smog guns and water sprinkling operations are being carried out in key areas including Karim Block, Multan Road, Ravi Bridge, Shahdara Flyover, Thokar Niaz Baig, Upper Mall Scheme, and GT Road.

Officials from the city administration have been instructed to ensure covering construction materials at ongoing sites and vehicles transporting goods are fully tarped to minimise dust emissions.

The EPA said a marginal improvement in air quality is expected between 1pm and 5pm due to slight atmospheric changes, but warned that haze and low visibility may persist throughout the day.

The agency also urged citizens to refrain from burning waste, a common practice in both rural and urban areas, that further intensifies particulate pollution.

Thick layers of smog blanket Punjab

Thick layers of smog continued to blanket Punjab on Monday as polluted winds from India drifted across the border, sharply deteriorating air quality in several cities, including Lahore, Faisalabad, and Kasur.

According to data released by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab, the average provincial Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 177 — a level considered 'unhealthy' for sensitive groups.

EPA figures show that Kasur once again topped the list of the most polluted districts in Punjab, with an AQI of 268. Faisalabad followed closely with a reading of 248, while Dera Ghazi Khan and Lahore registered AQI levels of 229 and 227 respectively.

Sahiwal, Multan, and Gujranwala also reported AQI levels above 170, highlighting, the smog crisis has spread widely across central and southern Punjab. Within Lahore, the situation was especially alarming in several localities.

Kahna Nau and FMD Research Centre reported AQI readings above 300, placing them in the 'very unhealthy' category, while other areas including Shadra, Egerton Road, and Safari Park recorded levels between 220 and 265.

Environmental experts attribute worsening air quality to Diwali in India

Meteorological data indicates that winds blowing at approximately five kilometers per hour from Indian cities including Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Gurdaspur have begun carrying high concentrations of particulate matter into Pakistani territory.

Officials said that Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar are directly affected. Similar winds from Indian regions of Jodhpur and Jaipur are also contributing to the haze over southern Punjab.

Environmental experts say, besides Diwali celebrations in India, during which large-scale fireworks are carried out, existing crop residue burning also pushes dangerous levels of pollutants into the atmosphere. The fallout, they said, is now drifting westward.

Lahore second most polluted city in world

Meanwhile, international monitoring platforms placed Lahore as the second most polluted city in the world, trailing only behind Delhi (180). Other major cities on the list included Karachi (167), Kolkata (158), and Mumbai (156), highlighting a regional smog crisis across South Asia. Environmental experts warn, if current weather patterns persist, pollution levels may continue to rise over the next several days.

The EPA emphasised, public cooperation and long-term planning is a must to minimise the impact of smog. “Every small action counts,” the agency said in its advisory. “Reducing vehicle use, avoiding open burning, and maintaining vehicle fitness are key steps towards cleaner air. The fight against smog cannot be won by government measures alone — it requires joint efforts.”

Authorities plan to continue daily monitoring and publish updated AQI reports to guide the public to minimise the impact. As winter deepens and winds slow down, experts caution that Punjab could experience recurring smog waves unless regional coordination and strict enforcement measures are maintained on both sides of the border.