AI, drones come into play in Punjab as govt moves to fight smog

Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Wednesday that Pakistan’s most populous province is using satellites, drones and artificial intelligence to combat worsening smog, cautioning that industrial-grade masks could eventually become a routine accessory if public behaviour towards air pollution does not improve.

Every winter, major cities across Punjab are blanketed by smog caused by a combination of crop residue burning, vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions. The phenomenon typically emerges in late October, intensifies between November and January, and often lingers into February, disrupting daily life and threatening public health.

Exposure to smog commonly leads to throat and eye irritation and respiratory problems, while long-term exposure significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and lung cancer. Children are particularly at risk due to their higher breathing rates and less developed immune systems.

Speaking at an event, Aurangzeb said Punjab has introduced advanced technology to monitor and predict air pollution trends.

“We now have an AI-based machine-learning forecasting system, along with surveillance drones and advanced camera technology,” she said, describing Punjab’s environmental protection setup as among the most technologically equipped in the world.

She added that drones are actively being used for real-time surveillance, supported by fully digitized monitoring systems.

“All monitoring is now technology-driven — from cameras to data integration,” she said.

Aurangzeb pointed to the eastern border with India as a major seasonal source of smoke, noting that pollution from that corridor intensifies during winter months.

She also said the Environmental Protection Agency has, for the first time, introduced a comprehensive vehicle emissions testing system to accurately measure pollution levels.

To reduce crop burning, the provincial government has provided 5,000 super seeders to farmers. These machines allow crops to be planted directly into fields without clearing stubble, significantly cutting down smoke that contributes to winter smog.

Warning of the consequences of inaction, Aurangzeb said air pollution could worsen to the point where people would need to carry industrial masks at all times.

“If our attitudes and habits toward air quality, climate and conservation do not change, masks will become as essential as a purse or wallet,” she said.

Pakistan’s major urban centers frequently rank among the world’s most polluted, with vehicle emissions remaining a leading source of poor air quality. Beyond health risks, severe pollution also hampers economic productivity and erodes the quality of life for millions across the country.