The University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore has unveiled an anti-smog gun developed by its engineering faculty to help reduce dust and airborne pollutants in major urban centres. The innovation aims to mitigate the severe air quality issues that cities like Lahore face each year, particularly during the winter smog season.
The device was inaugurated at a ceremony held at UET Lahore by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, alongside Vice Chancellor Dr Shahid Munir, Higher Education Minister Rana Sikander Hayat, Information Minister Azma Bukhari, and Chairman Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) Dr Iqrar Ahmed Khan. Senior officials, academics, and members of the engineering community were also in attendance.
During the briefing, Dr Shahid Munir explained that the anti-smog gun is designed to suppress dust and particulate matter in areas with high pollution levels, such as construction zones, industrial sites, and densely populated roads. “This modern suppression system will help cut particulate matter in the air and improve overall air quality,” he said, highlighting the practical impact of local innovation in addressing environmental challenges.
Marriyum Aurangzeb praised the development as a significant milestone for both UET and the province, acknowledging the growing need for indigenous technological solutions to Pakistan’s environmental problems. She emphasized that combating smog remains a top priority for the Punjab government, which has been taking multiple measures to curb emissions and airborne pollutants. “The government is determined to integrate this technology into its broader anti-smog strategy,” she stated.
The initiative comes at a time when Punjab has intensified efforts against air pollution, including a crackdown on smog-emitting vehicles and unregulated industrial emissions. Lahore, often ranking among the world’s most polluted cities, faces severe air quality degradation each winter due to vehicular exhaust, crop burning, and construction dust.
Higher Education Minister Rana Sikander Hayat announced that the provincial government will provide full financial support to UET to enhance and scale the anti-smog gun for widespread use. He added that the project reflects the government’s commitment to promoting research-led solutions that directly impact citizens’ quality of life.
This development underscores the potential of academic innovation in addressing pressing environmental issues. By leveraging engineering expertise and local research capabilities, UET Lahore’s initiative sets a precedent for other educational institutions to contribute practical, technology-driven responses to public health and environmental challenges.
The anti-smog gun represents not only an advancement in pollution control technology but also a meaningful collaboration between academia and government in pursuit of a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable urban environment.
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