In a breakthrough to combat air pollution, Punjab has successfully carried out the first-ever test of anti-smog guns, achieving a remarkable improvement in air quality in Lahore’s Kahna area.

According to officials, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Kahna dropped sharply from 667 to 170, recording a 70 per cent reduction in air pollution within minutes of the spray operation.

The experiment, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was launched after the Smog Control War Room detected an abnormal surge in AQI levels in the area.

Three mobile anti-smog gun units were immediately dispatched to the site, where they carried out a targeted spraying operation.

Officials reported that a visible improvement in the air was observed soon after the operation began, with real-time monitoring systems confirming the decline in pollution levels through advanced sensors.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated the Environmental Protection Force for the successful test, praising the team’s swift response and dedication.

“Punjab is leading the way in serving the people and adopting modern technology to tackle environmental challenges,” she said.

The chief minister had earlier directed the provincial environment department to introduce anti-smog guns as part of a broader plan to mitigate smog and improve air quality across Punjab.

Officials said the successful trial marks a significant step towards deploying similar anti-smog operations across other high-risk urban areas in the province.

CM Maryam lauded the EPA teams and citizens for their cooperation, calling the test “a milestone in Punjab’s environmental innovation.”

How these ‘smog guns’ work

Each gun, mounted on a large tanker carrying 16,000 litres of water, sprays a fine mist up to 100 metres into the air. The microscopic droplets act like magnets, trapping dust and harmful particles and pulling them down to the ground.

Officials say the technology could significantly reduce cases of asthma, lung infections, and heart disease, offering residents short-term relief from pollution levels that frequently reach “hazardous” levels on the Air Quality Index.