Toxic Winds from India Worsen Smog Crisis in Pakistan

Polluted Indian air pushes Lahore’s AQI to hazardous levels; Punjab cracks down on violators

Lahore and other major cities across Punjab have been blanketed by thick smog as toxic winds from India worsen Pakistan’s already severe air pollution crisis, reported 24NewsHD TV Channel on Friday.

Polluted air masses from Haryana, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Jalandhar have entered eastern Punjab, pushing Lahore’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to dangerously high levels — between 330 and 370, placing the city among the most polluted in the world.

Indian smog winds blanket Punjab cities

According to the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the incoming winds from across the border have carried high concentrations of PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ — microscopic particulate matter that poses serious health risks when inhaled.

Slow wind speeds, ranging between 1 to 6 miles per hour, have trapped these pollutants close to the ground, while temperature inversion — when warm air prevents cooler, polluted air from rising — has intensified the smog layer.

The EPD noted that horizontal visibility in Lahore, Faisalabad, Kasur, and Gujranwala has sharply dropped, with pollution peaking during early mornings and late evenings.

Officials expect a slight improvement in air quality between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., but warned that conditions would remain hazardous throughout the day.

Public health alert issued

Environmental and health authorities have urged citizens — especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues — to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and use protective masks when stepping out.

Doctors have also reported an uptick in cases of breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and throat infections, urging people to stay hydrated and limit physical activity outdoors.

Punjab launches crackdown on violators

Under the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, anti-smog enforcement has been intensified across the province.

Over 10,000 notices have been issued under the government’s zero-tolerance policy against stubble burning.
More than 190 factories and brick kilns have been inspected, with dozens sealed and heavy fines imposed for violating environmental regulations.
Over 1,200 monitoring teams are actively ensuring compliance with dust control SOPs at construction sites.

Officials said that continuous monitoring through the Smog Monitoring and Forecasting System confirms that the east-to-west wind flow continues to carry polluted air from across the Indian border into Punjab’s atmosphere.

Lahore among world’s most polluted cities again

The latest readings have once again placed Lahore at the top of the global AQI rankings, surpassing even New Delhi.

Environmental experts stress the need for cross-border collaboration between Pakistan and India to tackle regional air pollution, which has become a recurring winter crisis in South Asia due to agricultural burning and industrial emissions.