LAHORE : In connection with the global observance of Earth Hour, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Punjab organised a high-level post-smog engagement session at its Green Building headquarters on March 28, reaffirming its commitment to climate action, clean air and sustainable governance.
The event, aligned with this year’s Earth Hour theme of collective climate responsibility and energy conservation, brought together over 50 participants from academia, civil society, media and the legal community. Representatives from leading institutions, including UET Lahore, University of Central Punjab, Government College University Lahore and Punjab University, attended the session.
The programme began with a guided visit to Punjab Climate Watch, also known as the Smog War Room, where participants were briefed on real-time monitoring systems and enforcement strategies adopted to tackle air pollution. Officials said these efforts had gained international recognition, citing the IQAir 2025 report which recorded a 13 per cent reduction in PM2.5 levels in Lahore — the lowest since the Covid-19 period.
A detailed session was later held at the Centre for Knowledge Exchange and Policy Dialogue, where participants were presented with Punjab’s anti-smog initiatives as a model of data-driven and technology-based governance. Officials said the approach reflected strong administrative coordination and aligned with global efforts to promote environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Director General EPA Punjab Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh led the session and engaged extensively with participants. He said Earth Hour was not merely a symbolic switch-off campaign but a call for sustained behavioural change, institutional coordination and policy innovation. He added that environmental regulation in Punjab had been strengthened through digitisation, transparent enforcement and scientific decision-making.
He noted that the reduction in smog levels was the result of coordinated efforts among various departments, strict enforcement measures and active public engagement. He also emphasised the importance of expanding collaboration with academic and research institutions to develop long-term, evidence-based solutions.
During an interactive session, participants raised questions and shared suggestions, while the DG encouraged collaborative research, student involvement and knowledge exchange. The participants appreciated EPA Punjab’s proactive role and termed the session a step towards inclusive policy-making and environmental awareness.
The event concluded with a commitment from the EPA to continue such engagements to sustain progress in environmental protection and strengthen Punjab’s contribution to global climate action.
