Punjab's War on Smog

A New Era of Environmental Governance in Punjab

Every winter, Punjab is engulfed by the choking haze of smog—a phenomenon that brings life to a standstill, disrupts economic activity, and triggers widespread respiratory ailments. For years, citizens have endured this annual ordeal with little hope of relief. However, this year promises to be different. Under the direction of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Punjab Government has rolled out a comprehensive framework to counter the menace. Leading this ambitious drive is the province's dynamic and enterprising Senior Minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, whose energy and expertise have given new momentum to Punjab's environmental policy.

Marriyum Aurangzeb's passion for environmental protection is neither new found nor symbolic. Before entering politics, she spent nearly a decade with the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan), serving in senior leadership roles and spearheading several international campaigns. With that background, she brings not just political authority but a rare blend of technical understanding and global perspective—precisely what Punjab needed to confront its worsening air quality crisis. When Punjab entered last year's smog season, the situation was dire. There was no real-time data, no monitoring system, no enforcement force, and no digital infrastructure to support environmental decision-making. The province was operating in the dark. Fast forward to today—less than a year later—and the landscape has transformed. Punjab now boasts a fully functional monitoring system, an Environmental Protection Force, modern surveillance tools, and an integrated eco-management framework where every department has defined roles and measurable targets. This transformation offers tangible hope that the province will witness a significant decline in smog levels this winter.

Targeted Initiatives to Curb Emissions

Under CM Maryam Nawaz's leadership and Senior Minister's watchful eye, the government has launched targeted initiatives to curb emissions from three-wheelers, motorcycles, and rickshaws—among the largest contributors to PM 2.5 pollution. Industrial emissions are now under stricter regulation, backed by digital inspection systems. A referral refund policy has been introduced alongside a landmark electric bus project, under which 1,100 electric buses are being procured with a $300 million fund. These buses are already operating on routes in major urban districts, signaling a decisive shift toward green public transport. Additionally, a buyback policy for old two- and three-wheelers has been introduced, encouraging citizens to transition to cleaner, electric alternatives.

For the first time, environmental responsibility has been embedded across the bureaucracy. Each department—from Transport, Agriculture, Local Government, Housing, and Energy to Health and Environment—now operates with individual dashboards to track performance. These are linked to a centralized command center under the Planning and Development Department (P and D), ensuring real-time monitoring, rapid response, and accountability.

Tackling Agricultural Burning

Agricultural burning, once the primary driver of smog, is now being tackled through strict enforcement and innovative alternatives. Several offenders have been arrested, while awareness campaigns are educating farmers about sustainable practices. At the heart of this shift lies the 'Super Seeder' technology, which eliminates the need for stubble burning. Instead of setting fields ablaze, the machine chops crop residue and mixes it into the soil—enriching it as natural fertilizer. So far, 4,870 Super Seeders have been distributed out of a target of 5,000, a goal expected to be completed within weeks. For 2025-26, the target is to provide another 5,000 units, covering the entire Lahore division, where wheat is harvested four times a year.

To control crop residue burning, real-time monitoring stations have been set up in collaboration with the Agriculture Department. These stations track fires and alert enforcement teams instantly. The department has shown exemplary performance, using data-driven strategies to identify hotspots, run awareness campaigns, and ensure compliance.

Innovations in Environmental Governance

Previously, smog control was reactive and fragmented—limited to temporary school closures or FIRs against industries. Now, for the first time, Punjab has adopted a sectoral and integrated strategy where every department contributes within its mandate. All this progress has been made possible due to the unflinching resolve and untiring efforts of Marriyum Aurangzeb.

Under CM Maryam Nawaz's direction, Punjab has launched Pakistan's first-ever Environmental WhatsApp Chatbot—an innovative citizen empowerment tool. Through this service, residents can instantly check Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, receive smog alerts, weather forecasts, and health advisories—a revolutionary fusion of AI technology and environmental governance. Until last year, Punjab had just two non-functional monitors (donated by JICA in 2007). Today, there are 41 fully operational air quality monitors, with 100 more in the pipeline and four mobile monitoring units providing real-time data across districts. Punjab has also introduced anti-smog gun technology in major urban areas to suppress particulate matter and improve localized air quality.

Comprehensive Infrastructure and Energy Initiatives

A province-wide drain cleaning and rehabilitation program is underway, coordinated across multiple departments. Projects for road maintenance and water super-nickling have been integrated into the Lahore Development Plan, now advancing at record pace. The PHA and WASA have identified smog 'hotspots' for targeted tree plantation drives, including large-scale greening along the Lahore Ring Road. These efforts are part of a broader plan to lower AQI levels in critical zones through sustained afforestation.

In the energy domain, Punjab's solar and biogas initiatives are expanding rapidly. A zero-emission program encourages solar installations on public and private buildings, while biogas projects aim to provide cleaner energy alternatives to industries and households. On the health front, departments have, for the first time, linked smog data with hospital analytics. Health Advisors now issue early warnings to hospitals one to two weeks before smog peaks, allowing preventive medical preparedness. A comprehensive health survey has also been conducted, mapping disease prevalence and guiding policy for targeted healthcare responses.

A Vision for a Cleaner Future

The success of these unprecedented measures reflects the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and the tireless execution by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. Their collaboration embodies a blend of strategic foresight, environmental expertise, and administrative innovation. Marriyum Aurangzeb's leadership—grounded in experience, empowered by data, and driven by conviction—has given Punjab a reason to be optimistic. Her comprehensive, evidence-based approach is turning what was once an annual disaster into a test case for climate resilience and good governance.

This winter, Punjab stands better prepared than ever before—equipped with data, technology, and determination. For the first time, citizens can breathe easier, knowing their government is not just reacting to smog but reimagining how to prevent it. Under the leadership of Maryam Nawaz Sharif and tireless efforts coupled with stellar expertise of Marriyum Aurangzeb, Punjab's fight against smog is no longer a seasonal struggle—it is a sustained, smart, and science-led revolution for a cleaner, healthier tomorrow.