Smog in Lahore. Photo File: REUTERS
The Punjab government has imposed a province-wide ban on the use of wood and charcoal by restaurants and barbecue outlets in a bid to curb worsening air pollution. All hotels and eateries have been given 15 days to install suction hoods and smoke control systems or face legal action under environmental laws.
According to a directive issued on Wednesday, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and Punjab Food Authority (PFA) have launched joint operations to inspect food outlets and enforce compliance. The order specifically targets barbecue restaurants and traditional cooking setups known for emitting heavy smoke and particulate matter.
EPA Director General Imran Hamid Sheikh said, field teams have been mobilised across all districts to ensure immediate enforcement. “There is no room for smoke-emitting restaurants in Punjab. Those failing to install suction systems within 15 days will face strict action,” he said. Sheikh added that deputy commissioners across the province have been instructed to oversee implementation. “Punjab will not tolerate further deterioration in air quality,” he warned.
Officials said, the new measures are part of an intensified smog mitigation plan being implemented ahead of the winter season. EPA teams have been ordered to check industrial emissions, open burning, and vehicular smoke alongside the restaurant inspections.
The crackdown comes as air quality across Punjab continues to worsen. According to the latest eight-hour report, released by the EPA, the province recorded an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 164, placing it in the ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’. Gujranwala registered the highest pollution levels with an AQI of 239, followed by Kasur at 209 and Lahore at 206 — all classified as ‘Very Unhealthy’.
Other major cities also reported worrying numbers, including Narowal at 183, Faisalabad 181, and Hafizabad at 175. Even small urban centres such as Chiniot, Sialkot, and Okara recorded AQI levels between 158 and 175, far exceeding safe limits.
The EPA noted that AQI calculations were based on PM2.5 particulate data, which poses the greatest health risk due to its ability to penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream. Health officials warn that exposure to such high levels can trigger respiratory distress, reduced immunity and other health complications, particularly among children and the elderly people.
Environmental experts emphasise that enforcement consistency remains critical.
Winter, eastern wind intensifiy Lahore smog
Air pollution in Lahore and several other cities of Punjab reached hazardous levels due to cold temperatures and polluted air, drifting in from India. IQAir, a global air quality monitoring platform, ranked Lahore as the most polluted city in the world in the morning.
The EPA reported that polluted air from across the eastern border had increased the concentration of fine PM2.5, causing a sharp decline in Lahore’s air quality. Low wind speeds prevented the dispersion of pollutants, causing them to accumulate close to the ground.
The Smog Monitoring Centre reported that pollution levels were the highest between 6 am and 11 am with minor improvement till 5 pm and a rise again afterwards.
Health experts advised citizens, especially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with respiratory or heart conditions, to avoid outdoor exposure and keep windows closed.
Understanding the Air Quality Index
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used to communicate the quality of air and its potential health effects. It is divided into six categories based on the concentration of pollutants in the air:
Good: With an AQI value between 0 to 50, the air quality is considered satisfactory, posing little or no risk to the general population.
Moderate: An AQI value ranging from 51 to 100 indicates acceptable air quality. However, there may be a risk for some individuals, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups: For AQI values between 101 to 150, members of sensitive groups, such as those with respiratory or heart conditions, may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
Unhealthy: With an AQI value from 151 to 200, some members of the general population may experience health effects, while sensitive groups may face more serious effects.
Very Unhealthy: AQI values from 201 to 300 signal a health alert, where the risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
Hazardous: An AQI of 301 or higher represents emergency conditions, with a health warning that everyone is more likely to be affected.
