Diwali Fireworks Trigger Cross-Border Pollution in Pakistan

As Diwali celebrations lit up skies across India, the resulting fireworks and smoke caused a surge in air pollution in Pakistan, particularly in Lahore. Toxic pollutants drifting across the border combined with local emissions have pushed Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to alarming levels, making it the second most polluted city in the world.

According to the Punjab Environment Protection Department (EPD), winds from northern Indian cities like Delhi, Amritsar, and Ludhiana carried smoke and particulate matter into Pakistan, significantly worsening air conditions. By Tuesday morning, Lahore’s AQI had climbed to 266, while PM2.5 concentrations reached 187 µg/m³, almost 37 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended safe limit.

Emergency Measures in Lahore

To combat the hazardous air, the Punjab government deployed anti-smog guns, water sprinklers on main roads, and established smog response squads to monitor polluters. Authorities restricted traffic on key routes, fined smoke-emitting vehicles, and covered open construction materials. The Lahore police also arrested 83 individuals for violations related to open burning and factory emissions.

Regional Impact

The low wind speeds, ranging between 4 and 7 km/h, allowed pollutants to linger and spread across other cities in Pakistan, including Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sahiwal, and Multan. Across the border, Delhi recorded hazardous air pollution with PM2.5 levels exceeding 248 µg/m³ despite court mandates for limited “green crackers.”

Officials described the situation as a cross-border environmental challenge, urging citizens to reduce local emissions while authorities monitor incoming pollution. With the festive smoke now dissipating, the lingering haze has become a visible health and environmental concern in both India and Pakistan.