Temporary smog relief masks underlying problems

In Lahore and several other cities of Punjab, the smog situation in 2025 has been somewhat better compared to last year. Yet where the government attributes this improvement to its timely intervention, critics remain skeptical, considering the improvement a result of both government measures and favorable weather conditions.

According to Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, a comprehensive strategy was adopted this year to tackle smog. Measures included crackdowns on brick kilns, installation of filters and scrubbers in industries, vehicle emission checks, a ban on burning crop residues, control of dust from construction activities, and the establishment of anti-smog squads. The government claims these policies led to improved air quality in Lahore, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, and Rawalpindi.

However, air quality data and expert opinions present a different picture. Environmental scientists note that smog intensity depends not only on human activities but also on meteorological conditions. During the current season, higher wind speeds, light rainfall, and temperature fluctuations reduced the formation of temperature inversion, a condition that usually traps smog close to the ground.

Environmental expert at the University of Punjab, Dr Zulfiqar Ali explained that the smog season typically lasted from late October to mid-December. “This year, wind direction and speed were relatively favorable, preventing smog from reaching the intensity seen last year. While AQI levels in some areas reached hazardous levels, recorded as high as 500, strong winds helped disperse harmful particles such as PM2.5,” said Dr Ali.

Independent researchers pointed out that although AQI dropped noticeably on certain days, Lahore still ranked among the world’s most polluted cities overall.  Environmental lawyer Rafay Alam stated that major sources of air pollution in Lahore, such as the transport sector, old diesel vehicles, industrial emissions, brick kilns, and waste burning, remained largely unchanged.

“Reduction in severe smog waves in November 2024 and 2025 was primarily due to favorable weather conditions, including better air circulation and seasonal changes, rather than government actions. Overall, air quality this year was not significantly better than last year,” said Alam.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan, vehicle emissions and low-quality fuel are the leading causes of smog and air pollution. Measures like smog guns may provide temporary and localized relief but are not sustainable solutions. WWF Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khan  emphasized that clean fuels, strict vehicle emission standards, and effective enforcement were the only long-term solutions.

The Pakistan Air Quality Initiative (PAQI) reported a noticeable reduction in smog intensity this year compared to last year; however, the improvement remained unsatisfactory. According to the report, air quality throughout November stayed at the “very unhealthy” level, with Pakistan’s national environmental standards exceeded every day.

PAQI further reported that air pollution was reducing the average life expectancy of Pakistanis by 3.9 years and was linked to approximately 128,000 premature deaths annually. In Lahore, the annual average PM2.5 concentration was 22 times higher than WHO guidelines, causing residents to lose an average of seven years of life.

Reports further indicated that in a single week of November, around 6,500 patients visited Mayo Hospital, 5,000 were reported at Jinnah Hospital, and about 4,000 each at the Services and General hospitals. The total number of patients affected by air pollution and smog in November was estimated at 130,000.

Experts believe that government measures have helped to some extent, but attributing the current improvement entirely to government success is not scientifically accurate. The real test will come in the coming years, when it becomes clear whether the Punjab government can address the root causes of air pollution through sustained, scientific, and structural reforms.