In Pakistan’s Punjab province, officials are raising urgent concerns over the severe air pollution sweeping across the border from India. The smog is so bad that it’s forcing schools in Lahore, the provincial capital, to close down for several days. This situation has sparked a major push by Pakistani officials for immediate talks with India, hoping for joint efforts to tackle this pollution crisis.
Punjab is Pakistan’s second-largest province and shares its eastern border with India. Authorities in Punjab believe that the pollution, which has reached dangerous levels, is primarily coming from northern India. Winds blowing from India towards Lahore are carrying the smog directly into Pakistan, pushing air quality to hazardous levels. Senior minister Marriyum Aurangzeb warned that this easterly wind pattern is expected to last for at least a week, meaning the problem could persist. She urged people, especially the elderly and children, to limit their time outdoors.
The air quality in Lahore reached a staggering 1,000 on the Air Quality Index (AQI) over the weekend. This made Lahore the world’s most polluted city temporarily, according to IQAir, a global air monitoring service. For perspective, any AQI reading above 300 is considered “hazardous,” and Lahore far exceeded this limit, putting it in an alarming situation.
Meanwhile, New Delhi, India’s capital, has also been grappling with extreme pollution, with AQI levels well into the “very poor” range for over a week. Experts say northern India, particularly Delhi and surrounding areas, often faces pollution issues during the winter, especially after the Diwali festival. Despite a Supreme Court ban on firecrackers in the Delhi region to reduce pollution, residents reportedly ignored it this year, leading to a spike in harmful particles in the air.
Air quality specialists say pollution levels in northern India, especially during Diwali, can reach up to 875% above national standards. Though the air quality tends to improve within 24 hours, the damage in the short term is significant, and this pollution can easily spread across borders.
Pakistan and India’s relations have been tense, especially since 2019, when Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties after India changed the status of Jammu and Kashmir. The region remains a hotspot for disputes, with accusations of cross-border issues and increased militancy. Amid these tensions, Pakistan’s call for cooperation on pollution is critical as it’s impacting health, daily life, and children’s education in Lahore.
For now, the Punjab government is pressing Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry to contact Indian officials to address this air crisis together.
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