The Punjab government has made the use of masks mandatory for those traveling on motorbikes in view of air pollution. Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that winds from Indian capital Delhi, other cities including Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana and Patiala are heading towards Lahore, while Multan, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar are also being affected by air pollution coming from India. She said that instructions have been given to cover construction sites, vehicles bringing goods, while the use of masks is mandatory for those traveling on motorbikes. In addition, it has also been instructed to keep the windows of the vehicles up, and also close the doors and windows of the houses. The senior minister said that a slight improvement in the air is expected between 1 pm and 5 pm, while the sky will remain clear but light fog in the afternoon. Marriyum Aurangzeb said that water spraying and anti-smog guns are being used in Lahore and other cities, and the role of every citizen in preventing and reducing smog is the reason for big change and success. Separately, amid the Diwali festivities in India, increased fireworks and rising air pollution have led to polluted winds entering Pakistan from across the border. In response to the anticipated rise in smog levels, the Punjab government has completed special preventive measures. According to the Environment Protection Department, winds blowing from New Delhi, Chandigarh, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Haryana at speeds of 4 to 7 km/h are moving toward Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Multan, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan.
Similarly, the southern Punjab districts of Multan, Bahawalpur, and Bahawalnagar are likely to be affected by polluted air masses from Indian cities such as Suratgarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Jaipur. The Punjab Smog Monitoring Center reports that Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to remain between 210 and 230. Pollution intensity is forecast to rise during early morning and night hours, with slight improvement expected between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Due to low wind speeds (1-8 km/h) and a lack of rainfall, harmful particles are likely to remain suspended in the air.Following the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab government has launched a large-scale anti-smog operation during the Diwali period. Since last night, anti-smog guns have been deployed at various locations including Thokar Niaz Baig, GT Road Shahdara, Multan Road, Ravi Bridge, Upper Mall, Nishtar Colony, and Karim Block in Allama Iqbal Town. WASA, LDA, and district and municipal authorities are conducting pre-dawn water sprinkling and ensuring proper management of waste and construction materials, while a strict ban has been imposed on crop residue burning.