Muhammad Umair Takes Dig at Punjab Government as Lahore Tops Air Pollution Rankings
Lahore: Journalist Muhammad Umair has taken a sarcastic swipe at the Punjab government over Lahore’s deteriorating air quality after the city topped an air pollution ranking.
According to reports, Lahore recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 192, while readings of 216 were recorded at the CERP office, 198 in Allama Iqbal Town and 189 on Barki Road. Official Punjab Environmental Protection Agency data also showed unhealthy air quality across several Lahore monitoring stations on October 2.
Reacting to the situation, Muhammad Umair questioned the Punjab government’s environmental policies in a post on social media platform X.
He said vehicles and motorcycles were purchased in the name of the Environment Department, while trees were cut down without planting new ones in their place. He added sarcastically that “good TikTok videos” were made and the chief minister received praise, while Lahore moved to the top of the Air Quality Index by a wide margin over the city ranked second.
The journalist also criticized the use of water cannons, saying the “drama” involving them had already failed last year.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has intensified anti-smog operations in Lahore following deteriorating air quality. Authorities have activated a coordinated system of field enforcement, monitoring and prevention against local sources of pollution on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
پنجاب حکومت نے محکمہ ماحولیات کے نام گاڑیاں، موٹر سائیکلیں خریدیں درخت کٹے نیچے درخت نہ لگے۔ اچھی ٹک ٹاک بنیں وزیراعلی کو سلامیاں ملی، ائیر کوالٹی انڈکس میں ہم دوسرے نمبر پر آنے والے شہر سے بڑے مارجن سے پہلے نمبر پر
واٹر کینن کا ڈرامہ پچھلے سال ہی ناکام ہوگیا تھا اور ابھی دسمبر… pic.twitter.com/LkkP8LCkb7— Muhammad Umair (@MohUmair87) October 2, 2026
The drone squad, night squad and Hawk Eye field squad have also been mobilized as part of the anti-smog measures.
Official Punjab AQI data currently classifies Lahore’s air quality as unhealthy, with readings varying significantly across monitoring stations.
