ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government has reported a significant drop in Lahore’s air pollution levels after launching its first anti-smog gun operation, bringing the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) down from a hazardous 666 to 170.
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Saturday that the reduction, verified through the province’s environmental monitoring system, reflects the government’s commitment to using modern technology to improve public health.
“This 70 percent decrease in air pollution has been scientifically analyzed and confirmed by our advanced environmental monitoring system,” she said in a video statement on X.
The operation involved anti-smog trucks spraying fine water mist across Lahore to settle dust and pollutants. Officials said more such efforts are planned as the smog season intensifies.
Each winter, Lahore faces worsening air quality caused by crop burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial pollution, pushing it among the world’s most polluted cities. Smog season typically begins in late October, peaks from November to January, and can last through February.
Health experts warn that smog exposure can lead to respiratory illnesses, sore throats, and eye irritation, while prolonged exposure raises the risk of stroke, heart disease, and lung cancer. Children remain particularly vulnerable.
Lahore’s 14 million residents have endured PM2.5 levels up to 20 times higher than World Health Organization limits, while Pakistan’s other major cities also struggle with chronic air pollution.
Officials say the provincial government will continue expanding anti-smog operations alongside stricter enforcement of emission controls to maintain recent gains.