Smog spike triggers crackdown

Checkpoints to be established at all major Lahore entry points

LAHORE:

Authorities in Lahore have launched an intensified enforcement campaign to tackle rising smog levels, introducing stricter controls on vehicles and transport operations as air pollution reaches hazardous levels.

The measures were finalised during a meeting chaired by Chief Traffic Officer Syed Abdul Rahim Shirazi who convened circle officers to assess the causes of worsening air quality and devise immediate interventions.

The meeting concluded with a strategy targeting key contributors to urban pollution, particularly emissions from transport and construction-related activities.

At the centre of the crackdown is a blanket restriction on vehicles transporting sand, soil and fodder without protective covering. Officials said such materials significantly contribute to airborne particulate matter when left exposed. As part of enforcement, checkpoints will be established at all major entry and exit points of the city, where authorities will inspect vehicles for compliance.

Only vehicles meeting strict documentation and safety criteria will be permitted entry. These include valid driving licences, up-to-date fitness certificates and fully covered cargo bodies. Officials emphasised that these requirements are non-negotiable and are aimed at reducing both environmental and road safety risks. The traffic police have also been directed to launch a targeted operation against smoke-emitting vehicles. Authorities say these vehicles are a major source of fine particulate pollution, particularly of size PM2.5, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and pose serious health risks. "No vehicle contributing to environmental pollution will be allowed to operate on city roads," Shirazi said during the meeting.

In addition, legal action will be taken against transporters carrying construction material such as steel bars, T-iron and other metal items that extend beyond vehicle bodies. Officials noted that such practices not only endanger public safety but also contribute to congestion and inefficiencies in traffic flow.

To address traffic-related emissions, officers concerned have been tasked with identifying congestion hotspots across the city. A coordinated traffic management plan will be developed to improve flow and reduce idle emissions, particularly during peak hours. Heavy vehicles, often blamed for both congestion and pollution, will be restricted from entering the city before designated times, with deputy superintendents of police instructed to supervise enforcement on the ground.

The move comes amid increasingly alarming air quality readings. Recent data places Lahore among the world's most polluted cities, with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels hovering above 190 - a range classified as unhealthy. Fine particulate matter remains the dominant pollutant, raising concerns among health experts about long-term respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

Weather conditions appear to be exacerbating the crisis. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, continental air is prevailing over much of the country, bringing hot and dry conditions. In Lahore, temperatures are expected to range between 23°C and 35°C, with humidity around 49 per cent and wind speeds remaining low at approximately 3km per hour. The lack of rainfall and limited air movement reduce the natural dispersion of pollutants, allowing smog to persist and intensify.