Editorial
Lahore once again stands at the edge of a smog crisis, with October beginning under a forecast of “unhealthy” air quality. According to Punjab’s environmental monitoring system, the Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to hover around 170 — a level that poses serious health threats to citizens, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. The city’s daily rhythm of traffic congestion, industrial emissions, and crop residue burning continues to trap its residents in a toxic cycle of pollution.
Despite efforts to curb pollution, Lahore’s air remains among the dirtiest in the world, ranking fifth globally in poor air quality. Microscopic PM2.5 particles, nearly eight times above World Health Organisation standards, remain the dominant pollutant. The government has responded with preventive measures — from seizing unfit vehicles to banning defective trolleys at city entry points. Yet, the real test lies in consistent enforcement and citizen compliance.
The launch of Punjab’s new air quality forecast system is a welcome step. Integrating real-time monitoring with global indices, it promises more accurate predictions and public health advisories. With 41 monitoring stations already operational and plans to expand to 100, the province is equipping itself with the tools to better anticipate and respond to pollution spikes.
But forecasts and bulletins alone will not clear the air. Last year’s SOPs must be implemented with strict discipline, and the Environmental Protection Department must ensure industrial, vehicular, and agricultural polluters are held accountable. Public cooperation is equally essential. Avoiding unnecessary travel, reducing waste burning, and supporting green initiatives can help mitigate the crisis.
Lahore’s smog is not merely a seasonal inconvenience; it is a public health emergency that demands long-term solutions. Urban planning, mass transit investment, and cleaner energy transitions are the only sustainable answers. Unless the government and citizens act in unison, Lahore will remain trapped in its toxic haze.
