Punjab’s smog challenge: will this year be different?

Business Recorder · 23/10/2026، 12:47:19 AM

The smog season is upon us once again. As winter approaches, Lahore and other parts of Punjab are preparing for another period of deteriorating air quality. For residents, the concerns are familiar: unhealthy air, respiratory problems, restrictions on outdoor activities and disruptions to daily life. Over the years, smog has become a recurring public health crisis, with little lasting improvement in air quality. However, there is something different this time. The Punjab government appears to be taking the issue more seriously, with greater political attention, increased funding and a more structured approach to tackling air pollution. Unlike previous years, when the response largely revolved around emergency measures during peak smog months, the government is now moving towards a year-round air-quality management framework. At the centre of these efforts is the $300 million World Bank-supported Punjab Clean Air Program (PCAP), running from 2025 to 2030. The programme aims to reduce PM2.5 exposure by 35 percent over the next decade, focusing on transport, agriculture, industry, and air-quality management, particularly in Lahore Division. The government is also expanding its monitoring infrastructure. According to the Punjab Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EPCCD), the province has 59 air-quality monitoring stations, with plans to expand the network to 100. The proposed Lahore Air Improvement Framework, estimated at Rs4.35 billion, aims to introduce advanced emission monitoring, pollution intelligence systems and targeted enforcement mechanisms. Technology is becoming an important part of the strategy. The government is deploying drones, CCTV cameras and AI-based systems to monitor industrial emissions identify pollution hotspots and detect violations. More than 8,500 cameras are being used for industrial chimney surveillance, while continuous emission monitoring systems are planned to strengthen industrial compliance. AI-based forecasting is als