Light rain expected to bring temporary relief to smog-hit Lahore

The Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast light rainfall, which could offer temporary relief as Punjab’s air quality plunges to hazardous levels, with Lahore once again ranking as the most polluted city in the world.

According to the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency, the city’s average Air Quality Index was recorded at 312, indicating “very unhealthy” conditions.

Data from multiple monitoring stations on Monday showed Kahna Nau Hospital topping the list with an AQI of 402, followed by Government Teaching Hospital Shahdara (383) and the University of Engineering and Technology (381). Other severely affected areas included the Lahore Waste Management Company (361), Pakistan Kidney and Liver Institute (347), Punjab University (341), and the Wagah Border (310).

Across Punjab, Lahore was followed by Hafizabad (311), Sheikhupura (272), and Gujranwala (266) among the most polluted districts.

Taking up the issue of persistent smog, the Lahore High Court reprimanded authorities for ineffective enforcement and expressed serious dissatisfaction with the provincial government’s anti-smog measures. The court warned that worsening air pollution required “urgent and coordinated action.”

Justice Shahid Karim, while hearing the smog mitigation case, summoned Deputy Commissioner Lahore Syed Musa Raza for failing to enforce restaurant timing restrictions and directed authorities to take strict action against smoke-emitting vehicles.

“This proceeding is not against anyone but to guide and assist the government,” Justice Karim remarked. “If the previous orders had been implemented, the situation would have been different today.”

The court noted that nearly 70% of Lahore’s pollution originates from transport, yet the government had failed to adequately address vehicular emissions. Justice Karim also questioned the effectiveness of anti-smog guns and directed that environmental teams be stationed at city entry points and highways to monitor smoke-emitting trucks.

The court ordered that such vehicles be stopped at terminals and barred from city roads, and instructed that Sunday commercial closures be strictly enforced.

During the hearing, Director General Environment Imran Hamid Sheikh informed the court that data on all heavy vehicles entering Lahore had been compiled. From November 7, only trucks with valid Vehicle Inspection and Certification System clearance will be allowed on the roads.

He added that 14,000 CCTV cameras would be used to monitor traffic emissions, while six environmental monitoring teams are working to ensure that sand trolleys remain covered to prevent dust pollution. Additionally, 15 fire trucks have been deployed to extinguish crop residue fires along major highways. The DG said his department is working with the Agriculture Department to strengthen enforcement.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Meteorological Department has forecast light rainfall on November 4, which could offer temporary relief by reducing airborne particulates. However, experts warned that pollution levels are likely to rise again during nighttime hours, with the AQI expected to fluctuate between 200 and 350 throughout the day.

Health authorities have urged citizens — particularly children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions — to remain indoors during peak pollution hours and use N95 masks when stepping outside.