Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has called on Lahore’s residents to “declare war on smog,” stressing that it may require eight to ten years of sustained individual and collective efforts to effectively combat this issue.
In a press conference on Friday, Aurangzeb presented the details of the Anti-Smog Action Plan, indicating that certain areas in Lahore are now facing challenges such as methane emissions and urban heat islands. She pointed out that out of 45,000 motorcycles in the city, around 1,800 are significant smoke emitters, in addition to roughly 100,000 vehicles—including two- and three-wheelers—and around 1,200 brick kilns and 60,800 industrial units that are contributing to the worsening air quality.
Aurangzeb noted that Lahore has only 33.3% green area coverage for its 15 million inhabitants. The air quality is deemed unhealthy for 275 days each year, with average temperatures rising by 2.3 degrees Celsius. While she acknowledged that 30% of the smog is brought in from India, she emphasized that the remaining 70% is produced locally.
The minister mentioned that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has spearheaded a multi-sectoral plan to mitigate the smog over the past six months, implementing strict measures across various sectors. Instead of simply shutting down non-compliant brick kilns, authorities have demolished 212 of the 700 kilns in Punjab, ensuring that operational ones adhere to a ‘zigzag’ pattern with strict enforcement of regulations.
Ms. Aurangzeb shared that the Environment Protection Department has conducted 15,000 inspections of industrial units, leading to the sealing of 721 factories and the demolition of 152. Additionally, farmers are being incentivized with a 60% subsidy for super seeders to manage rice stubble responsibly.
The district administration has taken action against offenders by filing over 400 FIRs and making arrests. Anti-Smog Squads are actively working in high-impact areas, monitoring vehicles for emissions, and prohibiting those without fitness certificates from entering Lahore.
Aurangzeb urged residents to check the Air Quality Index (AQI) using the Green App before visiting smog-prone areas like Badami Bagh and Shimla Hill. She also called on the media to launch an extensive anti-smog campaign, highlighting the severe health risks associated with smog-related air pollution, which is linked to approximately seven million deaths annually worldwide.
As part of the anti-smog efforts, the district administration has impounded 188 vehicles and sealed five factories, imposing fines totaling Rs140,000. Lahore’s Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza underlined the need for stringent actions against environmental degradation and encouraged citizens to report vehicles contributing to smog.
In light of Lahore’s troubling rank as the third most polluted city globally, authorities are intensifying operations to enforce pollution control measures, responding to the rising incidence of respiratory illnesses among vulnerable populations.
