Smog is back in the twin cities: how to keep it out of your home and office

The Express Tribune reported on 2 November 2026 that smog has pushed air pollution in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to alarming levels. Citing a survey by the Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EPCCD), the paper put Rawalpindi's air quality index at 185 and Islamabad's at 170 to 172. The Punjab government will keep brick kilns closed from 15 November to 15 December, and the Rawalpindi deputy commissioner has ordered action against smoke-emitting vehicles, factories and garbage burning. The EPCCD says the smog season runs from October to December, and the Met Office outlook showed no rain for the twin cities in early November, so the air is unlikely to clear soon. Doctors quoted by the Tribune advise masks outdoors; here is what to do indoors.

Stop smoke getting in

• Keep windows and doors shut in the early morning and evening, when smog is usually thickest.
• Fit door sweeps and rubber weather strips on exterior doors and loose window frames. A handyman can do a whole house in a couple of hours.
• Check that kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans actually push air out. A fan that only spins pulls smoke in through other gaps.

Clean what has already settled

• Book a deep clean that covers ceiling fans, curtains, blinds, skirting and the tops of cupboards, the places daily sweeping misses.
• Have sofas, carpets, rugs and mattresses cleaned early in the season rather than at the end; they hold dust for months.
• Wet-mop floors instead of dry sweeping, which lifts dust back into the air.
• In offices and shops, move to daily mopping near entrances and have janitorial staff clean AC grilles and light fittings, which collect visible black dust in smog weeks.

Service the AC

• A split AC's filter and indoor coil collect dust all summer. Have them cleaned now so that running the unit in fan or heat mode does not blow that dust back out.
• Standard AC filters trap coarse dust, not fine smoke particles, so do not rely on the AC alone for clean air.

Frequently asked questions

What is the air quality index in Rawalpindi and Islamabad right now?

On 2 November 2026 The Express Tribune, citing an EPCCD survey, reported an AQI of 185 for Rawalpindi and 170 to 172 for Islamabad. Readings change daily, so check a live monitor.

How long does smog season last in Islamabad?

According to the EPCCD, as reported by The Express Tribune, the smog season runs from October to December. Rain usually clears the air.

Does a split AC clean smog from indoor air?

No. A standard AC filter catches coarse dust, not the fine particles in smog. A clean filter stops the AC from recirculating dust, but only a purifier with a HEPA-type filter removes fine particles.

How often should sofas and carpets be cleaned during smog season?

One professional clean at the start of the season, followed by regular vacuuming, is enough for most homes.

Can Muramat help with smog-proofing a house in Islamabad?

Yes. Muramat provides handymen to seal doors and windows, deep cleaning, sofa, carpet and mattress cleaning, AC filter and coil service, and janitorial teams for offices across Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Book today

Muramat is open 24/7. Call or WhatsApp +92 314 5282186 to book in Islamabad or Rawalpindi, and ask about the 30% off offer when you call.

Sources: The Express Tribune, 2 November 2026 (EPCCD smog survey); Pakistan Era, 31 October 2026, relaying the PMD weekly outlook. Figures are as reported and change daily.