Lahore's air pollution worsens with index at 269

Lahore's air quality index reached 269 on Sunday, Interior Ministry said, Dunya News reported.

The city's air velocity was 5 km/h from the northwest, expected to increase to 11 km/h by afternoon, potentially improving air pollution.

The Punjab government has launched anti-smog operations across the province, intensifying actions against local pollution sources, following Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's directives.

In the last 24 hours, authorities inspected 272 industrial units, sealing 11 and demolishing 2, and imposing fines of Rs1.325 million for environmental law violations.

The government also inspected 513 brick kilns, sealing 24, demolishing 6, and registering 8 cases, with fines of Rs180,000.

Additionally, 183 locations were inspected for non-standard plastic, seizing 294 kg of plastic and imposing fines of Rs30,000.

Authorities checked 92 barbecue and commercial cooking points, installing section hoods at 58 locations and sealing 3.

The government has activated drone squads, night squads, and hawk eye field squads for day and night surveillance and immediate action against violations.

The climate watch scientific data monitors wind speed, direction, and air pollution, implementing anti-smog strategies according to weather conditions.

Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb stated that while weather conditions are beyond the government's control, controlling local pollution sources is their responsibility.

She urged farmers not to burn crops and appealed to citizens to avoid producing smoke and care for the environment.