Punjab Minister Warns Diwali Fireworks Across Border May Worsen Lahore Smog

A senior Punjab minister has cautioned that heavy fireworks across the border in India during Diwali could release additional fine particles into the air and intensify regional pollution, increasing the likelihood of denser smog over Lahore and other parts of Punjab in the days ahead.

In a post on X, Maryam Aurangzeb said a thick layer of fog and polluted air originating from the Bay of Bengal is already spread across the region. She noted that wind direction, wind speed and the stability of the air will also shape Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI) in the coming period.

According to the minister, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has ordered faster monitoring and stepped-up anti-smog operations. Smog guns and water sprinkling have been expanded in areas along the eastern corridor towards India that are considered at high risk of elevated AQI readings.

She urged the public to help curb local pollution sources, including a complete halt to crop-residue burning, particularly rice stubble, and adherence to the ban on open burning of garbage, plastic and other waste. Residents were also advised to keep smoke-emitting vehicles off the roads in the coming days and to avoid unnecessary travel.

On the Pakistani side, authorities reported 459 crop-fire incidents between October 1 and November 4, a 28 percent decline from 637 during the same period last year. They added that 57 first information reports were registered for crop burning between October 1 and November 2.

The department said enforcement has been strengthened and Environmental Protection Agency teams are monitoring smog around the clock, including during the night, as the province braces for a possible spike in pollution levels.