Lahore Smog Crisis: Punjab Strategic Response through Policy & Public Engagement (2021–2024)

Abstract

Lahore, capital of Punjab in Pakistan, is one of the most polluted cities in the world. Seasonal smog threatens public health, business activity, and the ecosystem. This paper analyzes policies regarding the smog crisis concerning multi-level governance from 2021 to 2024. It relies on policy documents and reports pertaining to health, international air quality datasets, and think-tank evaluations through a case-based governance lens to assess Lahore’s move from responsive containment to proactive management. The analysis evaluates key actions including emission control enforcement for industries and vehicles, electrification of public transport, rural technology subsidies aimed at reducing stubble burning, and real-time monitoring system implementation like the Smog War Room. Other focal points include responding health systems for public communication campaigns such as #DETOXLAHORE as well as local governance roles towards implementation.The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) solved some issues through urban greening, regulating the construction dust control, zoning changes that align city planning with environmental goals. All of these efforts focus on cleaner air and reduce pollution. Results suggest actionable outcomes showing airborne particulate matter control technologies have been adopted by almost 96% of industrial facilities; some areas reporting an improvement of up to 38% in AQI. Public awareness also increased through consolidated outreach; tracking coordinated perception changes over time demonstrated these targeted efforts raised awareness around pollution issues within Lahore’s vicinity. Despite these gains there are still persistent challenges like underfunding or poor coordination across government silos lack clear lines-of-accountability which has cascading effects on weak enforcement structures hinder action at multiple levels within a system plagued with unresolved pollution crossings coming from Indian Punjab region bound rationales. This paper adds to the body of work on subnational environmental governance in South Asia by pointing towards a persistent need for investment, diplomacy, reforms, civic engagement, and multisectoral mobilization in the region’s geopolitics.