Lahore at the Forefront of Punjab’s Climate Response in 2025–26 Budget
The Punjab government has allocated over Rs. 25 billion for Lahore-specific climate and environment-related initiatives in its 2025–26 budget, making the provincial capital the most climate-focused city in the province.
Key allocations include Rs. 14.4 billion for the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) to maintain solid waste management and urban sanitation. Additionally, Rs. 10 billion in loans has been earmarked for the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to support infrastructure improvements, some of which incorporate climate resilience features.
To combat Lahore’s chronic smog crisis, the Air Safe Program has been launched with a Rs. 2 billion allocation, aiming to install air quality monitors, smog towers, and emission-control units. A further Rs. 511 million has been allocated for a province-wide awareness campaign, with Lahore as a key target.
Notably, the city will benefit from low-cost wastewater treatment plants worth Rs. 438 million and a stormwater drainage system stretching from Haji Camp to River Ravi to mitigate urban flooding. The government has also committed Rs. 1.21 billion for the establishment of an environmentally sustainable EPA headquarters in Lahore.
Other projects include the CM Green Credit Program and participation in the Green Corporate Initiative, aimed at promoting sustainable development and clean-tech innovation.
These initiatives mark a significant step in addressing Lahore’s environmental challenges. However, stakeholders urge for similar attention to other pollution-stricken cities like Faisalabad, where industrial smog and untreated wastewater remain serious threats.
