Punjab skies turn toxic: Lahore, Kasur among most polluted cities

Authorities advise citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, wear masks, stay indoors

Punjab’s major cities remained engulfed in heavy smog and hazardous air pollution on Saturday morning, as air quality levels plummeted to dangerous levels across the province.

According to the International Environmental Monitoring Agency IQAir, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached the maximum value of 500 in Dera Ghazi Khan and Kasur at 9am., placing both cities among the most polluted in the world. These readings surpassed even Lahore, which has long been considered the country’s pollution hotspot.

IQAir Punjab reported that Lahore recorded an AQI of 385, Sheikhupura 313, and Gujranwala 243 during the morning hours. Later in the day, IQAir’s global feed indicated even higher readings — 442 in Gujranwala, 400 in Lahore, and 337 in Faisalabad.

Within Lahore, air quality levels varied sharply across different localities. Data from IQAir showed extreme pollution in some areas: 1018 AQI near the Civil Secretariat, 997 near the Wildlife Parks, and 820 around the Forest Department. In comparison, official data from the Environment Protection Department (EPD) placed AQI at 500 along Shahdara, Multan Road, and GT Road, 396 on Burki Road, 377 on Egerton Road, and 365 in Kahna.

Environmental experts attributed the worsening air quality to polluted easterly winds drifting from across the Indian border, a drop in temperature, stagnant wind conditions (1–4 km/h), and a lack of rainfall — all factors preventing the dispersion of pollutants. The Punjab Environment Protection Department said that a slight improvement in air quality is expected later in the day, particularly between 1pm and 5pm., as wind speeds pick up marginally.

Maryam Shah, an environmental expert and member of the Pakistan Air Quality Initiative, observed that “the air was relatively cleaner at the start of 2025, but PM2.5 concentrations in October have now reached the same levels recorded in October 2024.” She warned that “we are entering November — typically the peak smog month — with the same high baseline of pollution that preceded last year’s severe smog episode.” Experts believe that the combination of current pollutant levels and prevailing weather patterns has significantly heightened the risk of another intense smog wave this year.

The EPD stated that the Punjab government, under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is implementing a province-wide anti-smog operation in coordination with all relevant departments. Efforts include traffic regulation, water sprinkling on roads, and inspection drives targeting industrial emissions. Continuous monitoring of PM2.5 and PM10 particulate levels is being conducted through modern air quality monitoring stations.

Authorities have advised citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor travel, wear protective masks, and remain indoors as much as possible to minimise exposure to the hazardous air.