Gujranwala tops region with AQI 762 as smog blankets Punjab

Winds are currently blowing from east, southeast, carrying smoke, particulate matter from Indian Punjab

Most major cities of Punjab are currently engulfed in severe air pollution and smog, with air quality levels reaching hazardous limits. The provincial capital, Lahore, along with Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, and Kasur, recorded air quality indices (AQI) nearing 500. According to the international monitoring agency IQAir, Gujranwala’s AQI climbed as high as 762 among the highest in the region.

Official data from the Punjab Environmental Protection Department shows that Lahore’s air quality reached alarming levels in several areas: 790 at F.F. Pakistan, 770 at the Civil Secretariat, 718 at Sanda Road, and 714 at Bedian Road. Other locations, including Burki Road, Shahdara, Kahna, Multan Road, GT Road, Wahga Border, and Egerton Road, also reported AQI readings close to 500. Comparatively, DHA Phase 6 recorded 369, Safari Park 357, and Punjab University 355.

According to the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), smog intensity in Lahore rose sharply after 4 a.m. today. The department’s monitoring and forecasting system indicates that winds are currently blowing from the east and southeast, carrying smoke and particulate matter from Indian Punjab’s Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, and Hoshiarpur districts toward Lahore, Kasur, Sahiwal, Faisalabad, and Multan.

Read: Lahore slips to third as Faisalabad becomes most polluted city

Experts have warned that transboundary inflow of smoke and fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) is likely to worsen pollution levels across central Punjab. Slow wind speeds ranging between 1 to 3 miles per hour during the early morning are causing pollutants to remain trapped near the ground. A slight improvement is expected by midday, but evening and night winds, increasing to 6–8 miles per hour, may carry the smog further inland.

Meteorologists attribute the persistent smog to a temperature inversion layer, where cooler air remains trapped near the surface, preventing pollutants from dispersing. The average AQI for the day is forecast to remain between 330 and 360, a level categorized as very unhealthy by global air quality standards.

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

The Punjab Health Department has advised citizens, especially children, the elderly, and those suffering from respiratory or cardiac illnesses, to avoid outdoor exposure between midnight and noon, and again after 7 p.m. Deteriorating air quality has also been reported in Faisalabad, Okara, and Sahiwal.

Meanwhile, anti-smog enforcement operations have intensified across the province. The EPA reported that a major industrial unit was demolished after being found operational despite prior sealing. Authorities recovered a large quantity of carbon sacks and industrial equipment from the site, while the arrested suspects were handed over to the police. Officials said such actions are part of the government’s ongoing campaign to curb smog and industrial pollution across Punjab.