LAHORE: The Punjab government has made face masks mandatory for all traffic police officers and “Suthra Punjab” field workers as part of a province-wide effort to tackle worsening smog conditions. The directive comes after Lahore was ranked the second most polluted city in the world, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 218, just behind Delhi.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who heads the environment department, said the measure aims to protect frontline workers regularly exposed to vehicular emissions and hazardous air. She added that the provincial machinery is fully mobilized to combat smog and protect public health.
Authorities have attributed the recent surge in pollution to stubble burning and Diwali fireworks in Indian Punjab, with polluted winds drifting into Lahore and Kasur from neighboring Indian cities such as Amritsar, Patiala, and Ferozepur. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (India) has identified 663 villages as stubble-burning hotspots, contributing significantly to cross-border pollution.
In response, the LDA, WASA, PHA, LWMC, and EPA have launched anti-smog operations involving water sprinkling, anti-smog guns, and dust control at construction sites. Emission monitoring has been intensified for vehicles, brick kilns, and industries, while Lahore’s entry points now have stricter inspection checkpoints.
The newly established Smog Monitoring and Control Center is now fully operational, gathering real-time data to support timely government action. According to forecasts, Lahore’s AQI is expected to stay between 210 and 240, with winds of 3–6 km/h, which will gradually improve air quality in the coming days.
The Punjab government has urged citizens to wear masks, avoid unnecessary travel, and limit outdoor exposure, especially for children, the elderly, and respiratory patients. It has also encouraged residents to plant greenery to help absorb airborne pollutants.