Air improvement without slowdown hailed

Lahore breaks trend of rising pollution in 2021-24

LAHORE:

The city recorded reduced pollution levels in 2025 in a steady way rather than due to enforced slowdowns for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown.

According to environmental experts, Lahore, often listed among the world's most polluted cities, recorded a drop in fine particulate matter PM2.5 levels, breaking a trend of rising pollution between 2021 and 2024.

The experts believe this shift signals that government interventions are beginning to produce measurable results, especially in urban centres where pollution sources are concentrated.

They said inspection of industrial units, construction sites, brick kilns and transport hubs had increased along with stricter enforcement.

Authorities sealed several factories for violating emission standards, registered thousands of cases, and imposed heavy fines on polluters.

In Lahore, special attention was given to controlling dust pollution, a major contributor to smog. Construction projects were directed to install water sprinklers and adopt dust control measures. Hundreds of sites introduced recycling systems, reducing both pollution and water waste. Anti-smog machines were also deployed in key areas, helping to control airborne particles during peak months.

Digital monitoring systems were introduced to track emissions and identify violations in real time. This allowed authorities to respond quickly and take immediate action, improving enforcement efficiency.

Another key step was tackling crop residue burning.

Authorities deployed rapid response teams equipped with water bowsers to douse fires in agricultural areas. These teams acted quickly to prevent smoke from spreading towards major cities.

Brick kilns were converted to zigzag technology, which significantly reduces smoke emissions. Industrial units were required to install emission control systems, while vehicle inspection campaigns were strengthened to reduce pollution from transport, one of the largest contributors to urban smog.

Rawalpindi, Multan and Bahawalpur also saw reductions in pollution levels.

However, despite the improvements, pollution levels in Lahore and several other cities remain above international safety standards. Health experts warn that long term exposure to polluted air continues to pose serious risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Officials stress that sustained efforts, regional cooperation and public awareness will be essential to maintaining the progress.