Pakistan, Oct. 24 -- Lahore topped IQAir's global pollution ranking on Friday morning with an Air Quality Index of 410. Punjab's Environmental Protection also reported hazardous readings at monitoring stations in Shahdara, Kahna Nau and GT Road. With winter barely underway and the government having stepped up its anti-smog campaign, the figures make uncomfortable reading. The authorities already have their work cut out.

To its credit, the Punjab government has brought greater urgency to pollution control. The EPA has deployed night squads and drones to identify crop burning, industrial emissions and other violations. During a province-wide operation earlier this month, officials inspected 431 brick kilns, demolished five and sealed nine....