Punjab Govt Warns of Worsening Lahore Smog After Diwali in India

Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has warned that large-scale fireworks across the border on Diwali could release fine particles and further increase regional air pollution, raising the risk of thicker smog in Lahore and the rest of Punjab over the coming days. In a statement on X , she said a deep layer of fog and polluted air starting from the Bay of Bengal is already covering the region. Wind direction, wind speed, and how stable the air remains will also affect Lahore's Air Quality Index (AQI). Maryam Aurangzeb said Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has directed faster monitoring and anti-smog operations. Smog guns and water sprinkling have been intensified in potential high-AQI areas along the eastern corridor towards India. She asked the public to help control local sources of pollution, completely avoid burning crop residue , especially rice stubble, and follow the ban on burning garbage, plastic, and other waste in the open. She also urged residents not to bring smoke-emitting vehicles on the roads in the coming days and to avoid unnecessary travel. On the Pakistani side of the border, the department said crop-fire reports from October 1 to November 4 stood at 459, down 28 percent from 637 in the same period last year, while 57 first information reports were registered for crop burning between October 1 and November 2. It added that enforcement has increased and EPA teams are monitoring smog around the clock, including at night. Stay Connected with ProPakistani Get the latest news and stories wherever you prefer. See more ProPakistani stories in Google Search and Top Stories.