Polluted winds drifting from India have once again engulfed Punjab's major cities, pushing Lahore to the top of the global pollution index with an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 312. The thick blanket of smog has severely reduced visibility and raised public health concerns, while other cities including Faisalabad (540), Gujranwala (371), Multan (364), and Bahawalpur (250) also recorded hazardous air quality levels, forcing authorities to implement strict anti-smog measures across the province.
Environmental experts revealed that slow-moving northeastern winds, carrying smoke particles from crop residue burning in Indian Punjab and Haryana, have worsened the air quality in Pakistan. The low wind speed, ranging between 4 and 9 km/h, has caused harmful pollutants such as PM 2.5 and PM 10 to remain suspended in the atmosphere. As a result, Lahore and nearby cities are experiencing toxic air trapped near the ground, making breathing increasingly difficult, particularly for children and the elderly.
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Due to the worsening air conditions, hospitals in Lahore have reported a surge in respiratory illnesses, eye irritation, and throat infections. Health experts have strongly advised citizens to wear protective masks, use air purifiers indoors, and minimize outdoor movement, especially during early mornings and late evenings when smog concentration peaks. Doctors have also cautioned individuals with asthma or heart conditions to take extra preventive measures, as the city's air quality has reached levels categorized as "extremely hazardous" by global standards.
In response, the Punjab government has intensified its province-wide anti-smog campaign under the supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Special anti-smog squads have been deployed in Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Gujranwala to inspect industrial sites, monitor brick kilns, and penalize vehicles emitting excess smoke. Strict fines are being imposed on violators, and surveillance cameras are being used to ensure round-the-clock monitoring. Moreover, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enhanced data analysis through modern air-monitoring systems and cross-border pollution tracking.
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To curb the root cause of smog, the provincial agriculture department has been instructed to promote eco-friendly alternatives to crop burning, such as the use of super seeders and other green machinery. These sustainable practices aim to reduce agricultural smoke emissions that drift into the atmosphere each winter. Meanwhile, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has appealed to citizens for full cooperation, urging them to avoid unnecessary outdoor movement after 8 p.m., and keep children and elderly people indoors.
Furthermore, she confirmed that outdoor school activities have been temporarily suspended, and school timings have been shifted to 8:45 a.m. to reduce early-morning exposure to smog. With Lahore once again topping global pollution charts, officials emphasize that long-term solutions -- including strict industrial regulation, clean energy adoption, and public awareness -- are essential to protect public health and prevent future environmental crises.