Hajra Naz
LAHORE: Lahore, once known as Pakistan’s “city of gardens,” now chokes every winter under a dense gray smog. Its skies are thick with toxic haze. This haze has become a defining feature of the city.
Every November, as the monsoon season ends, smoke and dust cover Lahore, New Delhi, and much of northern South Asia.
The main culprits are crop burning, vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions. Pollution levels reach deadly highs. Authorities often close schools, businesses, and highways.
This winter, Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province, is turning to an unconventional solution: artificial intelligence. The government is betting on AI to fight smog.
Authorities say Punjab is deploying one of the region’s most advanced clean-air programs. AI is central to forecasting, enforcement, and public response.
About 100 AI-powered air-quality monitoring stations have been set up across Punjab, home to nearly 130 million people, according to Marriyum Aurangzeb, the province’s environment minister.
These smart stations continuously analyze pollution data. Machine-learning algorithms predict air-quality surges before they happen. The data feeds into a 24-hour “smog war room.” This real-time climate intelligence hub integrates satellite feeds, ground sensors, and international databases.
Aurangzeb told Anadolu that across major industrial and urban centers, 8,500 cameras, drones, and thermal sensors link to the AI dashboard. They track emissions from factories and brick kilns. “Each emission source is geo-tagged, QR-coded, and algorithmically assessed for compliance,” she said.
From Smoke to Smart Data
Punjab created a specialized Environmental Protection Force (EPF) connected digitally to the AI command center. When sensors detect spikes in emissions, nearby EPF units get automatic alerts. They are dispatched with drones and smart devices to verify violations and seal polluting sites.
Another innovation is AI-guided anti-smog guns across Lahore. These devices activate automatically when particulate levels exceed safe limits. Early pilots showed a 70% improvement in air quality in Lahore’s Kahna area within hours, Aurangzeb said.
Citizens are also part of the system. Through the AQI Punjab app, the Green Punjab app, and helpline 1373, residents can report pollution sources. Complaints are categorized and assigned automatically. Reportedly, 96% of complaints are closed.
AI also uses satellite data from NASA and Pakistan’s SUPARCO space agency. Crop-burning incidents are detected in real time and cross-referenced with farm-loan databases. This enables targeted enforcement.
The government says stubble burning has dropped 65% in a year. In Punjab’s industrial belt, 95% of factories now operate under emission-control systems.
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‘No Silver Bullet’ for Smog
Experts warn that AI alone cannot solve Pakistan’s pollution crisis. Air pollution kills about 128,000 Pakistanis every year, according to Fair Finance Pakistan.
Analysts say lasting progress requires cleaner fuels, modern refineries, and updated industrial practices.
Imran Saqib Khalid, a climate governance expert in Islamabad, said Lahore’s smog cannot be solved without tackling primary sources.
“Vehicular emissions contribute significantly to air pollution in Lahore,” he said. “This can be reduced with high-quality fuel and improved public transport.”
Pakistan lacks modern refineries to produce cleaner fuel. Khalid noted that importing higher-quality fuel is not enough to meet demand.
He also pointed out the thousands of brick kilns across the country. Many burn low-quality coal or old tires. Even “zigzag technology” kilns fail to meet national standards because of poor fuel quality. “Zigzag firing cannot deliver results without fuel reform,” he said.
“Air pollution is complex,” Khalid added. “It has been addressed elsewhere, but it takes time. There is no silver bullet. Smog guns and towers alone will not work.”
Environmentalists recognize Punjab’s AI use as a step forward. But systemic reforms are necessary for lasting improvements.
Yasir Hussain, a Karachi-based environmentalist, said the government’s approach this year shows better coordination than previous efforts. Still, it lacks long-term impact.
“Artificial rain and smog guns don’t have a permanent effect,” he said. “Within an hour, pollution returns because vehicles, industries, brick kilns, and stubble burning continue to emit gas and particulate matter.”
He highlighted the electric vehicle policy introduced this year as a potential long-term solution. “The government has taken measures to reduce smog, but there is still a long way to go,” he said.
