A thick layer of toxic smog blanketed large parts of Punjab on Thursday, posing serious health risks to millions, Dawn reported.
Air quality deteriorated sharply across several urban centres, with IQAir morning data showing Bahawalpur recording a hazardous AQI of 469 at 8 am, followed by Faisalabad at 436 at 9 am. Multan and Sialkot also faced severe pollution, with AQI readings of 308 and 226, respectively.
Lahore, ranked the world’s second most polluted city on Thursday evening, experienced extreme fluctuations throughout the day. The city’s AQI spiked to a dangerous 547 around 2 am, fell to 197 by 7 am, and rose again to 366 by 9 am, highlighting the persistence and severity of the smog crisis.
The worsening pollution has been linked to widespread non-compliance with mandatory smog SOPs at major development sites. Despite the PKR 137 billion Lahore Development Plan, no comprehensive environmental safeguards were reportedly in place. Inspections at construction zones in areas including Chauburji, Chungi Amar Sidhu, Defence Road, and Model Town revealed poor adherence to EPA regulations, with basic measures such as green coverings and water sprinkling largely absent, allowing hazardous particulate matter to spread unchecked.
Officials told Dawn that violations at construction sites were significantly contributing to rising smog levels and aggravating the public health crisis.
In response, Punjab’s Environmental Protection Department and police have launched an aggressive enforcement drive. EPA spokesperson Sajid Bashir said authorities were cracking down in coordination with the Safe City Authority, particularly targeting vehicles without mandatory green stickers. “Two thousand delivery challans were issued in just four days, and enforcement will be further intensified,” he said. He added that strict penalties are being applied, including double fines for second offences and impounding vehicles for a third violation.
Over the past 24 hours, Punjab police reported actions across multiple districts, registering 23 cases and arresting violators, including in Lahore. A total of PKR 1.35 million in fines was imposed on 556 individuals for smog-related violations, including crop residue burning, smoke-emitting vehicles, and non-compliant industrial or brick kiln operations.
Since the launch of the anti-smog campaign, authorities have registered 2,749 cases, arrested 2,422 individuals, and imposed fines exceeding PKR 225.7 million. Punjab IGP Usman Anwar instructed officials to intensify operations on highways, in industrial zones, and across agricultural belts, emphasizing a “zero-tolerance” policy for violations of smog regulations.
