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LAHORE, Oct 06 (APP):For the first time in the province’s history, Punjab’s first smog early warning system has been activated, providing real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data and forecasts to help manage air pollution more effectively.
According to the latest report, Lahore’s average AQI was recorded at 62 following rainfall at 4:00 AM yesterday, indicating a significant improvement in air quality. The air quality continued to improve with sunrise and rising temperatures, reaching an AQI of 70 by 10:00 AM, when the temperature stood at 29°C. By 2:00 PM, the AQI was expected to rise to 92 with the temperature increasing to 33°C.
Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) informed APP that air quality data has now been fully analyzed in 18 districts of Punjab, thanks to the newly operational smog monitoring and weather forecasting system. This system marks a major milestone in environmental management at the provincial level.
Punjab Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, in a statement, emphasized the importance of tree plantation and increasing greenery as long-term strategies to combat air pollution. She highlighted that under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, targeted smog operations are actively underway in Lahore and other major cities.
EPA officials further noted that rapid-response measures are being implemented to improve air quality in traffic-congested areas, construction zones, and industrial sites, including the deployment of smog guns. For the first time, accurate and timely AQI data is being shared publicly, empowering citizens with reliable information about the air they breathe.
The initiative reflects the Punjab government’s growing commitment to climate resilience and public health protection through data-driven environmental policies.