LAHORE: The Punjab government has addressed the controversy surrounding allegations of manipulating air quality data, assuring the public that the monitoring system is functioning as intended, despite recent technical difficulties.
Earlier this week, climate analysts and social media users raised concerns after noticing disruptions in the data from air quality monitoring stations in Lahore. The issue came to light when Dawar Hameed Butt, a climate policy analyst, posted on social media claiming that several monitoring stations had been turned off to mask hazardous pollution levels. Butt’s allegations were supported by screenshots from the official air quality website, which showed that readings from some stations had not been updated for hours, with some data still reflecting conditions from October 30.
Further claims, including one from user Hassan Aftab, suggested that the stations were deliberately turned off during the night, when air pollution in Lahore typically peaks, to artificially lower pollution averages. Aftab called for greater transparency from the government, pointing out the millions of rupees invested in the air quality monitoring infrastructure.
In response, the Punjab Environment Protection & Climate Change Department (EPCCD) acknowledged a technical glitch that temporarily interrupted the data transmission from several monitoring stations. A spokesperson for the EPCCD, Sajid Bashir, confirmed that the stations had continued to collect data despite the delay, and that all missing information had been successfully retrieved and incorporated into the public dashboard. The department emphasized that the delay was purely technical and that there was no intention to manipulate the data.
Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb also weighed in on the issue, dismissing the allegations as baseless. She clarified that the technical issue had been resolved quickly and transparently, with an official announcement made on the government’s portal. Aurangzeb further praised the air quality monitoring system, which she described as one of South Asia’s most transparent and accessible, noting that the government had invested in 41 monitoring stations across the province to ensure real-time air quality data for citizens.
Despite the controversy, the updated air quality data paints a worrying picture of the region’s environmental conditions. On November 1, 2025, Lahore was again ranked as one of the most polluted cities in the world, with hazardous levels of pollution recorded at several monitoring stations across the city. The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a dangerously high 517 between 8:00 and 9:00 am.
In light of the ongoing pollution crisis, the Punjab government has ramped up efforts to combat smog. The Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has launched an extensive anti-smog operation, deploying hundreds of workers and specialized equipment to wash roads and sprinkle water to help reduce dust levels. The provincial police have also intensified enforcement of anti-smog regulations, registering hundreds of violations and issuing significant fines for the burning of crop residues and excessive vehicle emissions.
As Punjab continues to battle pollution, authorities have pledged to maintain transparency in air quality monitoring and address any technical issues promptly. The government remains committed to its efforts to combat air pollution, with the hope that sustained action will eventually lead to significant improvements in air quality, similar to the progress seen in cities like Beijing.
With ongoing efforts to improve monitoring and enforce regulations, the people of Punjab can only hope that these steps will lead to a cleaner and healthier environment in the years to come.
