LAHORE: The Punjab government on Wednesday attributed the worsening smog in Lahore and central Punjab to easterly winds carrying polluted air from India’s border regions. Officials said high PM2.5 levels in Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana were affecting Lahore and Kasur, while calm winds trapped pollutants near the ground during nights and early mornings. Meteorological factors, […]
Air Pollution
Air pollution reaches severe levels, average rate records 257
Air pollution in the provincial capital Lahore has increased to an alarming level and the air quality index has been recorded at a very alarming level in various areas. According to the details, Lahore is ranked fourth in terms of pollution in Pakistan overall, while the average smog rate in the city has increased from […]
LHC demands smog control report by Nov 12
LAHORE – The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed all relevant departments to submit a detailed progress report by November 12 on measures to control smog in the city. Justice Shahid Karim issued the order while hearing multiple petitions concerning air pollution and smog prevention. During the hearing, lawyers representing government departments appeared before the […]
Dozens detained in Delhi protest demanding clean air
NEW DELHI – Indian police detained dozens of protesters at India Gate on Sunday, as crowds gathered to demand urgent action against the annual surge of toxic air in Delhi and its surrounding region. The protest, involving people of all ages holding banners and chanting slogans, is rare in the capital despite repeated air pollution […]
Lahore battles severe air pollution as schools announce winter break
Lahore has topped the global pollution charts, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a hazardous 358. Areas like Ravi Road, Lower Mall, and Iqbal Town recorded alarming AQI levels, with pollution rates as high as 827. Experts warn of serious health risks, including respiratory issues and eye infections, and advise residents to limit outdoor […]
Punjab police intensify crackdown on environmental violators
LAHORE: The Punjab police have registered 51 new cases against environmental violators in the last 24 hours as part of an ongoing campaign to curb smog and reduce air pollution, a spokesperson said on Saturday. The operations, conducted across Lahore and other districts, also resulted in fines of over Rs1.067 million imposed on 491 individuals, […]
Pakistan may lose 20% of GDP by 2050 due to climate crisis, warns World Bank
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan could lose up to 20 percent of its GDP by 2050 as a result of escalating climate change, recurrent floods, and worsening air pollution, the World Bank Country Director warned during a session organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on “Sustainable Development in an Emerging World.” The World Bank official […]
LHC orders Punjab govt to crack down on smoke-emitting vehicles
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday directed the Punjab government to launch a rigorous province-wide campaign against smoke-emitting vehicles as part of intensified efforts to combat worsening smog and air pollution across Punjab. Justice Shahid Karim issued the order while hearing multiple petitions concerning environmental pollution and rising smog levels. He emphasized the […]
LHC reinstates judicial water commission chief, orders stricter smog control
LAHORE: Justice Shahid Karim of the Lahore High Court has reinstated Justice (Retired) Ali Akbar Qureshi as Chairman of the Judicial Water Commission, directing all relevant departments to provide full cooperation. The decision came during proceedings focused on environmental concerns, particularly Lahore’s worsening air quality. The court expressed serious concern over vehicle emissions from trucks […]
Lahore tops world’s most polluted cities
LAHORE: The city’s air quality hit “Hazardous” levels on Monday morning, claiming the top spot in the global IQAir ranking with a US Air Quality Index (AQI) of 471 and PM2.5 concentration at 311 microgrammes per cubic metre at 8:00 a.m., according to IQAir’s live dashboard. The PM2.5 level was reported to be 62.2 times […]