Every winter, Lahore confronts a familiar crisis: polluted air, disrupted lives and renewed promises of action. With billions of rupees committed to environmental programmes, the need to establish what these investments deliver has become increasingly urgent.

This report by Engineer Arshad H. Abbasi examines Lahore’s air quality records from 2016 to September 2026 alongside Punjab’s environmental budgets and procurement priorities. It finds little sustained improvement in air quality since 2019, with severe winter pollution persisting. By distinguishing between funding commitments and actual expenditure, and identifying gaps in the available data, the report examines how public resources can be more effectively directed towards lasting improvements.

Recent programmes require time and stronger evidence before their impact can be judged. The report calls for independent performance assessments, transparent monitoring and pollution control grounded in scientific and engineering expertise. Its central message is clear: public investment must be tied to measurable reductions in pollution and meaningful improvements in the air people breathe.

Disclaimer: This independently authored report reflects the author’s views and analysis and does not necessarily represent the position of the organization.