LAHORE: The Punjab government has imposed a province-wide ban on unplanned urban development activities that violate district master plans, aiming to control unregulated expansion and protect the province’s green spaces.

During a meeting at the Housing Department, it was decided that the approval of all private housing societies will now be strictly in line with district master plans.

Officials have been instructed to ensure rigorous scrutiny before granting approvals to prevent violations that contribute to environmental degradation.

A spokesperson for the department stated that unplanned urbanization has led to the destruction of green spaces and a rise in smog levels.

The spokesperson added that the government’s top priorities include protecting citizens’ lives and property, as well as promoting sustainable development.

He further noted that comprehensive planning is underway to regulate private housing societies across the province, with the new measures expected to help preserve green zones and improve air quality.

In a separate development, Pakistan Railways has terminated a 25-year-old contract for coolie, luggage, and parcel handling at Lahore Railway Station.

The station manager will now oversee these operations directly, ending the requirement for porters to pay commissions to contractors.

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.

LAHORE: Lahore Police have intensified their operations against individuals and businesses contributing to environmental pollution as part of the city’s ongoing anti-smog campaign.

According to a statement issued on Monday, police have arrested 83 people and registered 77 cases during the latest phase of the drive. Of those detained, 68 individuals were apprehended for emitting harmful smoke from factories, brick kilns, and vehicles, nine were caught burning tires, plastic, and shopping bags, and six were caught burning crop residue.

The arrests were made across multiple divisions, including 42 from Saddar, 14 from City, 13 from Cantt, six from Civil Lines, five from Model Town, and three from Iqbal Town Division.

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana said that full enforcement of anti-smog Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is being ensured, with police extending legal support to other departments addressing environmental violations. 

He added that the Punjab Safe Cities Authority’s surveillance cameras are being used to identify and track offenders.

Kamyana directed police officials to accelerate operations against all elements contributing to air pollution and to act without discrimination. “Clean air is the best gift we can give to our future generations,” he said, urging citizens to cooperate in the fight against smog.

The crackdown comes as Lahore faces worsening air quality ahead of the winter smog season, driven by industrial emissions, vehicle smoke, and open burning.

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.

LAHORE: Air pollution levels across eastern Pakistan have surged sharply following the Diwali festival in neighboring India, as thick smog drifted across the border into Punjab’s major cities, pushing air quality to hazardous levels.

According to data from the Punjab Air Quality Monitoring Network, Lahore recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 318, placing it among the world’s most polluted cities. Dera Ghazi Khan reported the province’s highest pollution level at 450, while Sheikhupura recorded 311, Faisalabad 281, and Gujranwala 268. 

Within Lahore, localized readings were even more alarming, with Kahna at 430, Shahdara at 379, Burki Road at 344, Multan Road at 336, and DHA Phase 6 at 327.

Global monitoring platform IQAir ranked Lahore as the world’s most polluted city on Tuesday, with an AQI of 298, surpassing New Delhi, which recorded 283.

In response to the worsening air quality, the Punjab government has activated anti-smog guns and launched night operations in high-pollution zones, including Thokar. The Environment Protection Department (EPD) reported that polluted air masses from Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Haryana are drifting into Pakistan, affecting Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Multan. Officials warned that pollution levels are expected to peak during the early morning and nighttime hours due to stagnant weather conditions.

Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb called for public cooperation, urging citizens to follow environmental safety protocols and support government measures to combat the crisis.

The Punjab Smog Monitoring Center has advised citizens, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses, to wear masks and avoid unnecessary outdoor activity. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that fine PM2.5 particles have spiked across major cities, posing serious health risks. 

Authorities emphasized strict enforcement against industrial emissions, open burning, vehicular smoke, and smoke-emitting eateries as part of a renewed campaign to improve air quality.

As air quality continues to deteriorate, environmental experts warn that the crisis will not abate without comprehensive and cooperative regional action. For now, Lahore and other parts of Punjab remain shrouded in toxic haze — a grim reminder of South Asia’s worsening smog season.

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has proposed sending a technical assistance mission to Pakistan to examine a trade data discrepancy amounting to between $16.5 billion and $30 billion, aiming to identify the causes and suggest corrective measures.

The proposal was made during the recent review discussions under Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout program, but local authorities have so far declined the offer, asserting that they are capable of addressing the issue independently. Officials said part of the discrepancy stems from unbooked raw materials imported under trade facilitation schemes, while others believe the gap may involve tax evasion or trade-based money laundering.

According to official records, Pakistan Single Window (PSW) reported imports worth $321 billion from July 2020 to June 2025, whereas the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) recorded only $291 billion, creating a $30 billion gap. Additionally, Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) listed $304.5 billion, about $16.5 billion less than PSW’s figure, with $12.8 billion linked to the export facilitation scheme.

PBS Chief Statistician Dr. Naeem Uz-Zafar stated that Pakistan does not require IMF assistance, emphasizing that the bureau is technically equipped to reconcile trade data. Meanwhile, the IMF has urged Pakistan to publicly disclose the discrepancies and enhance transparency in its reporting.

The SBP clarified that its trade data is based primarily on bank-reported transactions, meaning no major revision is expected in the country’s current account balance, though minor adjustments could follow.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the government had explained the matter to the IMF, which appeared satisfied with the justification. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to reforming the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through improvements in people, process, and technology.

The IMF’s proposed mission, if accepted, would be separate from its financial program and would focus solely on data accuracy and governance improvements.