Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has announced that the provincial government has introduced an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based monitoring and forecasting system to combat smog across the province.
“The system enables accurate prediction of air pollution levels, smog intensity, and the impact of polluted air drifting in from India,” she said. “This marks the first comprehensive technological breakthrough for air quality management in Punjab.”
Speaking to senior journalists in Lahore, the minister explained that until now, neither Lahore nor any other part of Punjab had an effective mechanism to monitor or predict smog levels. “With the help of AI technology, we can now forecast air quality up to four months in advance,” she added. The system allows the government to plan preventive measures, alert the health sector, and control pollution sources in a timely manner.
The minister has stated that specific targets have been set for the industrial, transport, and construction sectors to reduce particulate emissions, with compliance ensured through modern surveillance systems.
According to the Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 300,000 vehicle fitness tests have been completed this year. Around 1,100 electric buses are already operating, with a further 1,000 due to be introduced soon to promote green transport. The EPA has also installed 41 advanced Air Quality Monitoring Stations, which will be expanded to 100 by next year.
A dedicated Smog War Room has been established, linked to the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) dashboard, to ensure coordinated and swift responses. Violations identified through drone monitoring, smart surveillance, and AI compliance systems are acted upon within 48 hours. Several industrial units have faced FIRs, heavy fines, sealing, and demolition for non-compliance.
The Punjab government has announced that industries are now linked to the online EPA control system, enabling real-time monitoring of emissions. Additionally, fuel quality is being regularly inspected at petrol stations, and a phased crackdown on the plastic industry is currently in progress.
Marriyum Aurangzeb stated that burning of crop residues has been strictly banned, and mobile hospital units in high-smog areas are kept on standby for emergency health responses.
The Punjab government has recently established an Environment Protection Force, which monitors air pollution around the clock using a “drone and squad” mechanism, alongside an ongoing anti-plastic campaign aimed at public participation.