The Punjab government has responded to public concerns regarding disruptions in Lahore’s air quality monitoring system. Officials clarified on Friday that all monitoring stations have been operating continuously, despite a technical glitch that delayed public data updates.
Silwat Saeed, Secretary of the Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EPCCD), confirmed a technical issue caused a 12-hour delay in transmitting data to the public dashboard. The missing data from October 30-31 has since been uploaded to the official website.
The clarification came after environmental expert Dawar Hameed Butt raised alarms about monitoring stations being turned off, particularly in Lahore’s more polluted northern and eastern sectors. Social media users had echoed these concerns, suggesting the government was manipulating data.
Our cities are choking. Today, Lahore’s AQI crossed 800 in several areas, while Faisalabad and Multan also recorded dangerously high levels, ranking among the most polluted cities.
Short-term, surface-level fixes may clear dust in one specific area, but they can’t disperse the… pic.twitter.com/2Kjun2ald5
— WWF-Pakistan (@WWFPak) October 29, 2025Secretary Saeed firmly denied these allegations, stating, “Neither the monitors were shut down nor was the data lost for the period.” She emphasised the department’s commitment to measuring air quality across major Punjab cities using regulatory-grade monitors and disseminating accurate, unmanipulated data to the public.
Read: Lahore’s Air Quality Hits “Hazardous” Level of 329 AQI
The data controversy unfolded as Lahore continued to face severe air pollution. On Wednesday, the city topped IQAir’s list of the world’s most polluted major cities, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 563, which falls far into the “Hazardous” category.
Lahore is the world's most polluted city, according to the global air quality ranking, and its blanket of toxic smog is posing a serious health risk to locals. pic.twitter.com/onTP4pR5r4
— DW News (@dwnews) October 31, 2025The city’s main pollutant, PM2.5, reached 357 µg/m³, exceeding the World Health Organisation’s annual guideline by 71.4 times. The toxic haze has reduced visibility across Punjab and northern India, triggering widespread health complaints including throat irritation, coughing and breathing difficulties.
Authorities have attributed the poor air quality to seasonal factors, including vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and crop burning, exacerbated by winter weather conditions that trap pollutants close to the ground. Public health experts continue to advise residents to limit outdoor activities and wear protective masks.
