Polluted winds arriving from India have contributed to a rise in Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI), while several other cities across Punjab continue to face dangerously high levels of air pollution. Jhang recorded the province’s highest AQI at 678, followed by Multan at 658 and Gujranwala at 519.
According to the latest figures, Lahore’s particulate matter reading reached 400, while Faisalabad recorded 366, highlighting the worsening smog situation across the province.
In Lahore, however, air quality began showing signs of improvement after 9pm as a change in wind direction helped ease pollution levels.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said special anti-smog operations were continuing in high-AQI areas, with dedicated smog guns deployed and water sprayed to reduce airborne pollutants.
She said authorities inspected 259 industrial units across Punjab during the past 24 hours. Eleven units were sealed over violations, while fines amounting to Rs1.8 million were imposed.
Aurangzeb added that 74.42 percent of the rice harvest across Punjab had been completed, covering more than 4.712 million acres. Wheat cultivation using super seeders had also been completed on 224,866 acres.
The provincial government has also intensified its crackdown on the burning of crop residue. Authorities documented 289 incidents, resulting in 115 FIRs and legal complaints, while fines worth Rs2.93 million were imposed.
During the past four days alone, 80 crop residue-burning incidents were reported, leading to 42 cases and fines totalling Rs585,000.
Meanwhile, medical experts have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, wear protective masks when stepping outside and follow precautionary measures to minimise exposure to hazardous air pollution.
