New Delhi: As soon as the anti-smog cannons, or the “fog guns”, designed to combat toxic air, rolled out onto the streets of Lahore, the Pakistani civilians had divided reactions, with many calling it an expensive publicity stunt by Pakistan’s Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
“Looks like #ThiefMinister Maryam Nawaz has made another nice chunk of commission on these white (or rather green) elephants,” wrote Pakistani X user Azar. “These machines are neither a long-term solution nor proven effective when used elsewhere. Another #TikTokChiefMinister stunt.”
In August, the provincial government brought in 15 anti-smog guns and marketed them as part of a “world-tested dust suspension system”. And the guns were deployed on the streets of Lahore on Thursday.
Lahore has been facing one of the worst air quality crises in the world and once again ranked among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world. Global monitoring data showed that Lahore’s AQI remained in the “unhealthy” category.
“Dumb people’s ideas and saying it innovative. All over the world why such instruments are not used because they don’t work,” wrote another Pakistani civilian, Waqas, on X.
The smog cannons spray ultra-fine water mist into the air to bind airborne pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10, forcing them to settle and improve ambient air quality.
“With resolve, technology, innovation, and citizens’ participation, we will together, Insha’Allah, win the fight against smog,” said Maryam Nawaz Sharif, introducing the canons in August.
The initiative has sparked heated debate on social media. Critics have accused the government of wasting public funds on a technology that has limited evidence of effectiveness in large-scale air pollution control.
“This is like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound!”, wrote another user on X.
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World’s first AI-powered guns
With the launch of these smog guns, Lahore became the world’s first city to deploy field-tested, AI-powered anti-smog guns.
According to government officials, the fog cannons are integrated with Punjab’s real-time air quality monitoring network and will automatically activate in high-pollution areas. The system is reportedly linked to satellite data, drone surveillance, QR-coded brick kilns, and AI-based tracking, creating what officials describe as a significant leap in environmental enforcement.
However, while a few appreciated the initiative, calling it “a major strike against air pollution,” most civilians either mocked the government or slammed it for ‘wasting money on such initiatives’.
“The nation’s money is just being wasted. Do whatever you want—there’s no one to hold you accountable,” wrote another civilian on X.
“Madam, there is a lot of dust in our village too, please send this machine there as well,” wrote AJ Chaudhry on X.
(Edited by Saptak Datta)