The Department of Environmental Protection has launched Pakistan’s first anti-smog tower in Lahore, an initiative aimed at combating worsening air pollution in the city. The tower can filter 50,000 cubic meters of air per hour and purify up to 1.2 million cubic meters per day, and is currently undergoing a 15-day trial at no cost to the government. If the project is successful, more towers will be installed throughout the city.
While the initiative indicates progress, experts believe that such measures only address the symptoms of air pollution and not its underlying causes. Lahore’s transport sector remains the biggest polluter, contributing 83.15% of emissions in 2022. Across Punjab, transport contributed 39% of emissions between 1990 and 2020, far exceeding industrial, energy and agricultural sources.
The dramatic rise in vehicle numbers – from 4 million in 2000 to 20 million in 2020 – has exacerbated the problem, especially since most vehicles still rely on substandard fuels that do not meet Euro 2 standards. To cleaner fuels, such as Euro 5, encouraging electric cars will significantly reduce emissions, but such changes require fundamental reforms in both the fuel and transport sectors.
For lasting improvement, experts stress the need for structural changes, including adopting cleaner energy, stricter emissions regulations, and strengthening public transportation systems. While initiatives such as the Anti-Smog Tower provide immediate relief, addressing the root causes of air pollution remains critical to achieving a sustainable, healthier future.