Air pollution continued to grip Lahore on Sunday, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 269, a level that indicates unhealthy air quality, according to Dunya News.
Wind speed in the city was recorded at 5 kilometres per hour, blowing from the northwest. Winds are expected to pick up to 11 kilometres per hour by the afternoon, potentially bringing some improvement in air quality as the day progresses.
On the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, an anti-smog operation is under way across the province, with authorities intensifying action against local sources of pollution. Drone squads, night squads and Hawk Eye field teams are actively monitoring the situation, with round-the-clock surveillance and immediate action against violations.
During the past 24 hours, enforcement teams took action against industrial units, brick kilns, plastic-related businesses and commercial cooking points over violations of environmental regulations, imposing fines worth millions of rupees.
Authorities inspected 272 industrial units across Punjab, sealing 11 and demolishing two for violations. Fines amounting to Rs1.325 million were also imposed on the units found in breach of the rules.
In a crackdown on brick kilns, 513 units were inspected, 24 sealed and six demolished, while eight cases were registered. A total of Rs1.8 million in fines was imposed on kiln operators for violating environmental regulations.
As part of the campaign against substandard plastic, officials inspected 183 locations and seized 294 kilogrammes of plastic, imposing an additional fine of Rs30,000.
To control smoke emissions, 92 barbecue outlets and commercial cooking points were inspected. Suction hoods were installed at 58 locations, while three establishments were sealed. Authorities said monitoring had been tightened to ensure that suction hoods installed at commercial kitchens and barbecue outlets were functioning effectively.
Wind speed, direction and air pollution levels are being continuously monitored using scientific data from Climate Watch, while anti-smog measures are being implemented in accordance with prevailing weather conditions, the authorities said.
Lahore faces severe smog every winter, when cold air traps vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, crop residue smoke and dust close to the ground. At an AQI of 269, the air is classified as unhealthy, and health experts generally advise people, especially children, the elderly and those with breathing difficulties, to limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Authorities say the enforcement drive will continue as long as smog conditions persist, with teams monitoring pollution sources across the province and taking action wherever violations are found.
