LAHORE: Punjab continued to reel under hazardous smog conditions, with air quality reaching alarming levels across major cities on Monday.

According to IQAir at 6pm, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at Faisalabad 623, Bahawalpur 417, Multan 396, Lahore 228, and Sialkot 206.

Earlier in the day, Lahore’s AQI peaked at 435 at 10am, dipped to 214 by 4pm, and rose again in the evening, shifting from “unhealthy” to “very unhealthy” levels.

Lahore was ranked as the most polluted city in the world in terms of air quality, underscoring the severity of the crisis.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), cold and partly cloudy weather is expected across most districts of Punjab. Murree, Galiyat, and surrounding areas will remain cold and partly cloudy. Moderate to dense fog/smog is likely to persist over Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jhelum, Faisalabad, Jhang, Toba Tek Singh, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Sahiwal, Multan, Khanewal, Khanpur, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, and Rajanpur. Kashmir is expected to experience partly cloudy and cold weather

Meanwhile, the Lahore Police arrested 487 individuals during a special enforcement campaign aimed at curbing hazardous air pollution across the city.

According to the police spokesperson, 484 cases have been registered for violation of smog-related standard operating procedures (SOPs). Of the total arrests, he said, 469 individuals were taken into custody for emission of toxic smoke from factories, shops, and brick kilns.Additionally, 14 people were arrested for burning tyres, plastic and shopping bags, while four others were detained for burning crop residue and solid waste, he said.

Meanwhile, Capital City Police Officer Bilal Siddique Kamyana warned that those contributing to smog must immediately cease environmentally hazardous activities.

The Lahore Police were providing necessary legal support to line departments to ensure effective smog control measures, he added.

The CCPO emphasised that a zero-tolerance policy was being enforced against violations of smog SOPs, and swift action was being taken against offenders.

He urged citizens to report smog-causing activities by contacting the police helpline 15.

According to the Motorway Police, several sections were closed on Monday due to dense fog/ smog.

The M-3 Motorway was closed from Jaranwala to Darkhana and from Darkhana to Rajana, while the M-4 was shut from Gojra to Multan. The M-5 was also closed from Multan to Zahir Pir.

The Motorway Police spokesperson said the closures were implemented to protect the lives and property of road users amid poor visibility conditions.

Fog was also reported on the National Highway at multiple locations, including Kasowal, Iqbal Nagar, Chichawatni and Mian Channu. Similar conditions were observed in Khanewal, Multan, Basti Malook, Lodhran and Bahawalpur.

The spokesperson said visibility on parts of the National Highway had dropped to between zero and 100 metres, increasing the risk of accidents.

The Motorway Police warned that lane violations during fog could lead to serious and dangerous accidents and urged road users to strictly follow lane discipline.

Citizens were advised to prefer travelling during daytime, as safe travelling hours in fog are considered to be from 10am to 6pm.

Drivers were directed to use fog lights while driving in foggy conditions and to avoid unnecessary travel.

The Motorway Police also advised motorists not to overspeed and to maintain a safe distance from the vehicles ahead to reduce the risk of collisions.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2025