Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb Calls for Immediate Action Against Smog in Lahore
- Key Points:
- Marriyum Aurangzeb estimates that around 30% of Lahore’s smog is sourced from India, advising citizens to monitor Air Quality Index (AQI) before heading to pollution-heavy areas.
- Anti-pollution measures have led to 188 vehicle impoundments, the sealing of five factories, and fines totaling Rs140,000.
Efforts to Address Lahore’s Smog Crisis
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has urged Lahore’s residents to actively participate in combatting the city’s severe smog issue, warning that significant improvement could take up to a decade without consistent individual and community engagement.
At a press briefing on Friday, Ms. Aurangzeb discussed the actions outlined in the Anti-Smog Action Plan, noting that some areas in Lahore are now experiencing “methane clouds” and “urban heat islands” due to rising pollution.
According to Ms. Aurangzeb, of the 45,000 motorcycles in Lahore, approximately 1,800 emit visible smoke. She added that nearly 100,000 vehicles—including two- and three-wheelers—along with 1,200 brick kilns, 60,800 industrial units, and numerous cooking stoves contribute to Lahore’s worsening air quality.
Punjab Faces Major Challenges with Smog and Rising Temperatures, Says Minister
Lahore, with only 33.3% of its area covered by greenery, is home to approximately 15 million people and faces severe air quality challenges, according to Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. She noted that air quality levels remain at unhealthy levels for around 275 days each year, and average temperatures in the city have risen by 2.3°C.
While 30% of the smog affecting Lahore originates from across the border in India, Ms. Aurangzeb emphasized that the remaining 70% comes from local sources.
In response, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has led a rigorous multi-sectoral plan over the past six months to combat pollution, targeting various sectors.
Ms. Aurangzeb highlighted that, for the first time, non-compliant brick kilns across Punjab are not only being closed but are also being demolished. Out of 700 kilns in the province, 212 in Lahore alone have been dismantled, with all operational kilns now required to adopt a “zigzag” pattern for better emission control.
The Environment Protection Department has conducted 15,000 inspections of industrial units, leading to the sealing of 721 factories and demolition of 152 non-compliant facilities.
A digital monitoring system has also been introduced to control emissions. In support of sustainable farming practices, the government has provided farmers a 60% subsidy on super seeders, allowing safe disposal of rice stubble without burning.
Punjab Intensifies Anti-Smog Efforts, Calls for Public Cooperation
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced that over 400 FIRs have been filed and arrests made against individuals caught starting fires, as part of Punjab’s intensified anti-smog measures.
Special Anti-Smog Squads have been deployed to hotspot areas to raise public awareness and enforce immediate corrective actions. Smoke-emitting vehicles are now under strict surveillance, and vehicles lacking valid fitness certificates are barred from entering Lahore.
To further curb pollution, dust-carrying materials that don’t adhere to safety protocols are being restricted from entering the city. Ms. Aurangzeb shared that a recent cabinet decision aims to remove all high-emission vehicles from Lahore’s roads.
She encouraged residents to monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) using the Green App, especially when traveling to high-smog areas like Badami Bagh, Shimla Hill, Lower Mall, and Shahdara. She also urged the media to conduct a comprehensive anti-smog awareness campaign, emphasizing the link between smog pollution and global health statistics, which indicate that air pollution contributes to seven million deaths each year and may reduce life expectancy by as much as 10 years.
Anti-Smog Campaign in Action
As part of Lahore’s anti-smog campaign, the district administration has impounded 188 vehicles, sealed five factories, and imposed fines totaling Rs140,000. Lahore’s Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza stressed the need for strict environmental measures and urged citizens to report vehicles contributing to smog and adopt necessary precautions.
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Additionally, the Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has sealed five factories as part of its ongoing anti-smog drive, which has been actively running for three weeks.
Anti-Smog Operation Targets Non-Compliant Factories as Lahore’s Air Quality Deteriorates
Authorities have escalated efforts against factories violating pollution control protocols, recently sealing facilities including JP Steel and Ali Hajveri Industries for failing to comply with SOPs.
Lahore currently ranks third worldwide on the Air Quality Index, highlighting the daily health risks its residents face due to severe air pollution. High levels of smog and particulate matter from industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and seasonal crop burning are major contributors to the city’s worsening air quality.
Health experts warn that rising pollution levels are increasing respiratory illnesses, particularly among children, the elderly, and those with preexisting conditions. In response, district officials are intensifying inspections, sealing factories that fail to meet emission standards, and strengthening vehicle emissions testing to curb the ongoing pollution crisis.