After the online backlash over interruptions in the air quality monitoring system, the Punjab government confirmed that the stations have been “operating without interruption” in Punjab’s capital, the private media reported on Saturday.
Secretary of the Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EPCCD), Silwat Saeed, acknowledged that a technical issue caused disruptions for a short time to update data on the public dashboard.
The official expressed regret on the 12-hour gap from 3am on 30 October to 3pm on 31 October 2025, saying that the missing data has now been updated on aqi.punjab.gov.pk.
Silawat Saeed also stated that the AQI monitors have successfully uploaded all the missing data on the public dashboard.
“Neither the monitors were shut down nor was the data lost for the period,” the official noted.
Silwat Saeed stressed that “EPCCD is committed to measuring the air quality of major cities of Punjab by measuring six air pollutants with regulatory-grade monitors and disseminating to the public without manipulation and lag.”
Initially, an environment expert Dawar Hameed Butt, raised the issue that the EPCCD has turned off the monitoring system, particularly in very polluted areas including North and East of the city.
The expert added that the ones left on were still “Beyond Index”.
“These are PAS officers, PhDs, and ‘educated’ staff, and they think closing their eyes will solve the problem,” Hameed said.
After that, more social media users critisised the provincial government for not taking the matter seriously.
However, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb clarified that the error was due to a technical issue in the system.
