Punjab expects smog to rise in coming days, Maryam Aurangzeb warns

Smog is likely to worsen in Punjab over the coming days, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said in an X post on Monday, Dunya News reported.

She said a dense fog and polluted air layer spreading from the Bay of Bengal are enveloping the wider region, and that wind direction, wind speed and atmospheric stability could affect Lahore's air quality index (AQI).

Air pollution monitoring across the province has been stepped up on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, she said, and anti-smog measures have been accelerated.

Smog guns and water sprinkling have also been intensified in areas near the eastern corridor bordering India where high AQI readings are possible, the minister said.

She appealed to residents to support government efforts to control local pollution sources and to avoid burning crop residue, especially paddy stubble, because the fine particles released can add to the existing polluted layer.

Open burning of garbage, plastic and other waste must be strictly prevented, she said, and vehicle emissions also need to be brought under control.

Citizens should ensure their vehicles meet fitness and emission standards, avoid taking smoke-emitting vehicles onto roads for the next few days, and skip unnecessary travel, she urged.

Smog has been a recurring concern in Lahore and other parts of Punjab during the colder months, when pollution levels often rise.