As Diwali celebrations lit up skies across India, a thick haze of pollutants drifted across the border into Pakistan, sharply deteriorating air quality in Punjab, particularly in Lahore. Officials blamed a combination of local emissions and cross-border pollutants from Diwali fireworks, compounded by low wind speeds, for the worsening smog. By Tuesday morning, Lahore’s AQI had surged to 266, making it the second most polluted city in the world after New Delhi.
In response, the Punjab provincial government activated emergency measures, deploying anti-smog guns, conducting water sprinkling operations on key roads, and forming smog response squads to target polluting activities. With wind speeds between 4 and 7 km/h, airborne particulates spread across cities including Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, and Multan.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, a minister in the provincial cabinet, described the situation as a cross-border environmental challenge and urged citizens to reduce local emissions. Authorities also covered construction materials, restricted traffic on major routes, and imposed fines or seizures on smoke-emitting vehicles. Lahore police arrested 83 individuals for contributing to pollution through factory emissions and the burning of waste and tyres.
Meanwhile, Delhi experienced hazardous air pollution, with PM2.5 levels exceeding 248 g/m despite court-mandated limits on fireworks. The aftermath of Diwali left a persistent haze on both sides of the border, highlighting the transboundary impact of seasonal celebrations on air quality.
