Anti-smog guns are back on the streets of Lahore as air pollution rises. The Punjab government says the machines ran at about 34 sites on 23 October 2026, including Gulberg, DHA and Allama Iqbal Road. Lahore was ranked the most polluted major city in the world on IQAir that day. Here is what the government says the guns do, what the air quality numbers show and what critics say.
Where the Guns Are Working
Pakistan Today reports that anti-smog guns are working at several locations in Lahore under Director General Environment Abdullah Nayyar Sheikh. The Punjab government says it places them according to monitoring data, giving priority to areas with the worst pollution. On 23 October, they ran at about 34 sites, including:
- Gulberg
- DHA Phases One, Two and Five
- LUMS
- Lahore Junction
- Allama Iqbal Road
Teams move the machines as conditions change, and officials say operations will continue and expand if needed. The Nation says the government is also sprinkling water on roads. Neither report gives the total number of guns in use.
What the Government Says the Guns Do
According to Pakistan Today, the machines focus on suppressing dust, especially PM10. PM10 is coarse dust, which is different from PM2.5, the very fine particles that are the main pollutant in Lahore’s smog.
How Bad Is the Air?
| Measure (23 to 24 October) | Reading |
|---|---|
| Lahore on IQAir (global ranking) | AQI 288, first among major cities |
| Lahore on the Punjab AQI at 7 am | 347, up from 305 the day before |
| Shahdara, Kahna Nau and Multan Road | 500 |
| Gulberg III | 394 |
| DHA Phase VI | 379 |
| Punjab University area | 316 |
Pakistan Today says the figures differ between platforms because of different monitoring stations and update times. The provincial 24-hour average on 23 October was 190, with Lahore the highest at 263. The Punjab Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says PM2.5 is still the main pollutant. Officials blamed easterly winds carrying polluted air into Punjab from across the border. This is the government’s explanation, and the reports do not give independent evidence for it.
Other Anti-Smog Action
The Nation reports that Punjab’s Environment Department sealed 7 industrial units and 4 brick kilns in 24 hours and demolished one industrial unit and one brick kiln. The work also includes drone and night patrols, Hawk Eye field squads and inspections of industries, brick kilns and commercial kitchens. The operations were ordered on the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
Do the Guns Work?
There are two sides to this, and the evidence is not settled.
- Government view: The machines help suppress dust in high-pollution areas.
- Critics: An opinion piece published by the Asia News Network in October 2025 argued the cannons give “visual reassurance rather than results.” It cited a 2023 Chinese study that found PM2.5 rose by up to 13 per cent about 25 to 35 minutes after a mist cannon passed a road. It also said each unit cost over Rs45 million and could use up to 360,000 litres of water a day. These are the author’s claims from one study and unnamed reports, not a finding about Lahore’s machines.
I could not find an independent 2026 test of the guns in Lahore, so their real effect on PM2.5 is unconfirmed. The main sources of smog, such as vehicle exhaust, industry, brick kilns and crop burning, are targeted by the other measures above.
Weather Outlook
Pakistan Today says rain is expected on Saturday, 24 October, in Lahore, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Mirpur, which may help clear the air for a while.
Health Advice
- Keep children and older people indoors.
- Wear an N95 mask outdoors.
- Avoid outdoor exercise and keep windows closed.
- Do not burn garbage or crop residue.
- The EPA Punjab advises sensitive groups to limit outdoor exertion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the anti-smog guns working in Lahore?
At about 34 sites on 23 October, including Gulberg, DHA, LUMS, Lahore Junction and Allama Iqbal Road.
What do they do?
The government says they suppress dust, especially PM10.
How bad is Lahore’s air?
IQAir showed an AQI of 288 on 23 October, and the Punjab AQI showed 347. Some areas hit 500.
Do the guns reduce PM2.5?
That is not confirmed. Critics say mist cannons may not help, and I found no independent test from 2026.
Will rain help?
Rain was forecast for Saturday and may clear the air for a short time.
Anti-smog guns are visible and quick to deploy, but Lahore’s air will depend more on cutting emissions at their source. Residents should protect themselves while pollution stays high.
