Smog Guns in Lahore: A distraction from real solutions

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Dr. Farrukh A. Chishtie

As Lahore continues to rank among the most polluted cities in the world, a new spectacle has captured public and media attention: the deployment of so-called "anti-smog guns."

Mounted on trucks and resembling high-pressure water cannons, these machines spray a fine mist of water into the air in the hope of "washing away" harmful particulate matter. While the effort may seem commendable at first glance, environmental scientists and urban planning experts are increasingly warning that these measures are more about optics than impact.

The Punjab government has used these guns in various parts of Lahore in the name of emergency response. According to local officials, they are being used to bring immediate relief to residents suffering from respiratory problems caused by smog. However, there is little scientific basis to suggest that these guns actually reduce smog levels in any meaningful way. The water droplets may temporarily settle dust in a confined area, but the effect is highly localized and short-lived. Worse yet, they do nothing to remove the smaller PM2.5 particles that are most dangerous to human health.

The real problem: root causes of air pollution in Lahore

Instead of treating the symptoms, environmentalists argue that Lahore's leadership must confront the root causes of its air quality crisis. These include:

• Unregulated emissions from factories and brick kilns

• Widespread crop burning in rural Punjab

• Massive vehicular pollution from outdated diesel engines and two-stroke rickshaws

• Loss of urban tree cover and green zones due to unchecked development

None of these problems are addressed by smog guns. In fact, the energy and water used to operate these machines may even have a negative environmental footprint, particularly if they are run on fossil fuels or divert water from already stressed sources.

Meanwhile, cities like Delhi that also experimented with such guns have largely abandoned them, acknowledging their negligible impact. In Lahore, however, the initiative seems to have political rather than environmental motivations. It is easier to showcase action than to enact the long-term reforms that true improvement requires.

What should be done instead?

If Lahore truly wants to combat smog and reclaim the clean skies that once defined the Punjab plains, experts recommend a more strategic and science-backed approach:

1. Implement real-time air monitoring and make data publicly accessible

2. Transition brick kilns to zig-zag technology and enforce clean fuel use

3. Subsidize electric and hybrid vehicles while phasing out old diesel engines

4. Plant large-scale urban forests and green belts to trap dust and purify air

5. Ban and penalize crop burning, while offering alternatives to farmers

   
   

Local universities and research institutes have already developed pilot programs addressing many of these areas, but they require proper funding and consistent political will.

Looking ahead: a breath of fresh air or just mist?

It is understandable that residents of Lahore want quick relief. The burning in the eyes, the shortness of breath, and the constant haze have made daily life increasingly difficult. But as citizens, we must demand solutions that are not just visible but also science based and effective.

Smog guns may look impressive on camera, spraying mist into the air like a scene from a futuristic movie. But they are not the solution. The real path to clean air is paved with evidence-based policies, citizen engagement, and a long-term commitment to urban sustainability.

Let us not be fooled by mist and mirrors.

Here is a one-page information box for your Eco-Living article, focusing on the air pollution crisis in Lahore and Pakistan overall, written for a general readership in Pakistan.

Understanding the Air Pollution Crisis in Lahore and Beyond

The Dirty Truth

Lahore has consistently ranked among the top 5 most polluted cities in the world, with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels frequently crossing 300–400, indicating "hazardous" conditions. In the winter months, a thick, toxic smog blanket forms across Punjab, primarily due to vehicle emissions, industrial discharge, brick kilns, crop burning, and construction dust.

Why Is Lahore So Bad?

• Over 4.2 million registered vehicles, many running on unregulated fuel types

• Hundreds of outdated brick kilns, especially around Lahore, burning coal and rubber

• Seasonal stubble burning in central Punjab and across the Indian border

• Unchecked urban sprawl and loss of tree cover

• Lack of public transport, leading to private vehicle dependency

National Impacts

While Lahore often grabs headlines, other cities like Karachi, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Gujranwala are also battling worsening air quality. Ambient air pollution is linked to 128,000 premature deaths annually in Pakistan (WHO, 2023). Respiratory diseases, eye irritation, chronic asthma, and heart conditions are on the rise across all age groups.

What Can Be Done?

• Strengthen Clean Air Zones

• Convert kilns to zigzag technology

• Promote electric public transport and walkable urban designs

• Mass urban tree plantation campaigns

• Enforce national fuel quality and emission standards

  
  

Did You Know?

Lahore’s AQI once reached >600, far beyond hazardous levels, prompting school closures and health emergencies. Despite this, public awareness and policy enforcement remain limited.